CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 12: Strongly advocating the need for serious introspection of the underlying causes of environmental degradation, the Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, General (Retd.) Dr. S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM, made a forceful plea for a collective and action-oriented approach as a ‘mission’ for promoting ecological balance and ensuring sustainable & equitable development. “We have to develop innovative strategies with a proactive role as protectors of the environment and contribute effectively in shaping a better and bright future for the generations to come”.
Inaugurating a two-day “Colloquium – on Environmental Degradation and its Various Facets” at Chandigarh Judicial Academy, here today, General Rodrigues painted a grave picture of the dangers caused by the fast depletion of natural resources, lack of awareness & community participation in preserving environment and non-serious attitude on the implementation of various environmental laws at the global and national level supported with facts and figures. He strongly emphasized the need for changing our attitudes & mindset by creating consciousness on environment problems and mobilize public opinion. He stressed the need for partnership, with the people, in various programmes and for adopting a pro-active approach in safeguarding our forests and other natural resources. He said that in Chandigarh under the ‘Partnership Initiative Programme’ protecting our environmental heritage has been included as a priority sector and many NGOs have come forward to support this initiative. He said that the Government, individuals and society as a whole have to rise to the occasion and work together to contribute to this vital cause of human concern with sincerity, commitment and dedication.
General Rodrigues further said that the issues of environmental degradation and global warming are critical all over the world and the developing countries are the worst hit on this front. He referred to the report of the World Commission on Environment and Development entitled ‘our common future’ which has warned that unless we change our lifestyle pattern, the world will face un-acceptable levels of environment damage and human sufferings. He also highlighted the environmental strategies referred in Plan B 2.0 publication for Rescuing a Planet Under Stress and Civilization in Trouble. He emphasized that we have to improve consumption patterns of different natural resources like underground water & forest wealth and generate awareness among the masses for their judicious use at the national and global level.
Appreciating the initiative of Judicial Academy for organizing this two-day Colloquium on the subject of environment degradation, General Rodrigues expressed the hope that the deliberations in this two-day Seminar will evolve into a workable Action Plan at the government and other levels.
General Rodrigues also released a Book on the Environment authored by Sh. P.S. Jaswal, Chairman Department of Laws, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr. Justice Tirath Singh Thakur called for giving a lead to the world in promoting ecological balance as India has the advantage of the message of the environmental protection in our ethos and cultural heritage. Elaborating, he said that India is the only Country in the world where our people worship, trees, rivers, animals and birds which make significant contribution for the preservation of our environmental heritage. He exhorted the people to rise to the occasion and contribute towards this novel cause which will be a great service to our posterity.
Mr. Justice J.S. Khehar, Executive Chairman State Legal Services Authority, UT, Mr. Justice A.K. Goel, Executive Chairman, Haryana State Legal Services Authority and Mr. Justice Mehtab Singh Gill, Executive Chairman, Punjab State Legal Services Authority also spoke on the occasion. In this two-day meet, Hon’ble Judges, Academicians, Environmentalists, legal luminaries and students from all over the region are participating.