Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice Virender Singh, during the valedictory session of the two-day conference on Environmental Issues and Social Change: Jharkhand Chapter assured that the conference would bring some positive result after six-month time. The Chief Justice, along with the other dignitaries also released a ‘Jharkhand Declaration’ and administered ‘Environment Oath’ compiled by former President APJ Abdul Kalam to the newly inducted Judicial Officers.
“I assure you all that in six months’ time when we will be calling your lordships once again to have working session with us will give you our complete status report and I assure you that the graph would show some positive results. One impression that we must have in our minds that the seminar was not just a formality,” said Chief Justice Virender Singh on Sunday.
The Chief Justice also expressed concern over the decreasing number of tigers in Jharkhand, which was earlier known for its wildlife reserves. Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal Justice Swatanter Kumar, during his address, mentioned about the three ‘S’ which, he said, were essential for the protection of environment.
“With the three S’s, I mean - Social awareness, Sincerity of implementation and Security of environment. If we do not follow the three S’s, be sure that the disaster is not very far. We have seen it in various parts of the country and the world well,” said Justice Swatanter Kumar.
Justice Kumar also expressed his concern over increasing pollution level in river Ganga where more than 68 per cent sewerage water is put into it without proper treatment. According to Justice Kumar, creating a central agency for dispensation of environmental knowledge was essential. Jharkhand being rich in forests and minerals, environmental consciousness was also crucial for it, he said.
Supreme Court Judge, Justice Shiva Kriti Singh, said that such seminars empower the participants with knowledge as when one interacts with the eminent people, he becomes wiser. He also stressed on the need for the compilation of deliberations in the seminar and distributing it to all relevant departments in the government.
“It could be compiled into a useful volume, by a board of editors set up for the purpose, published by the National Green Tribunal and getting it circulated to different regions of the Country. I think it would serve a great purpose as we cannot afford to have our faculties assemble at different places all the time and deliver lectures on the topic,” said the Supreme Court Judge.
Another Supreme Court Judge Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri, applauding the efforts made by the Chairperson of National Green Tribunal for his commendable work, said that the efforts towards environmental protection must proliferate to the vegetation cover on the earth. Justice Sikri also added that the human beings should learn respecting the life of the other species on the earth as well.
Justice DN Patel delivered the welcome address while Justice DN Upadhyaya gave vote of thanks during the valedictory session of the conference. Justice Patel emphasized upon relationship between the seminars and conferences vis-à-vis education and knowledge.
Justice Upadhyay on the other hand, refreshed the memories of the historical development of Judicial Academy and acknowledged the untiring efforts of each and every one behind the success of the event.