Delhi Environment Minister Emran Hussian and High Court Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal called for planting more trees and doing away with use of plastic on the World Environment Day.
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Acting Chief Justice called upon the younger generation to participate in tree plantation and nurture them not only for themselves but also for a “better future for the coming generation”.
Justice Mittal, while taking forward the “Greening Delhi” initiative of the Delhi State legal Services Authority, educated people on ecology and laws relating to environment and emphasised on “not to use plastic glasses, bottles, plates, etc. as it is very difficult to decompose” and that “we should have a better earth behind us than we got”.
The High Court too has taken up the initiative to protect the environment by actively making efforts to improve the air quality in the national Capital with its tough stand against illegal and unauthorised constructions as well as authorities failure to maintain cleanliness.
Recently, the High Court asked the neighbouring States of Delhi -- Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan -- as to what steps they have taken to ensure prevention of stubble burning, which it had earlier termed as the “main villain”, behind the severe pollution levels in the city and adjoining areas.
The court was hearing a PIl initiated by it in 2015 on the issue of poor air quality in the national capital.
Stressing on the need for a clean environment which would in turn ensure a healthier life, the High Court has been issuing slew of directions to the Government and civic bodies for better waste disposal and management in the city.On the issue of rampant unauthorised construction in the city, the High Court has observed that it is a “time bomb” due to its adverse effects on the quality of air, water and other civic amenities, apart from leading to vehicular congestion.
Meanwhile, Yamuna Biodiversity Park (YBP), an environment wing of Delhi University also celebrated the World Environment Day.
Dr Faiyaz A Khudsar, Scientist-in-charge, YBP, emphasised on the harmful effects of plastic polybags in environment while explaining adverse effects of plastic on degrading environment health. Dr Shah Hussain, Scientist Incharge, Aravalli Biodiversity Park said Delhi produces around 700 ton plastic per day which is not decomposed and enters in the environment of Delhi.
Ravi Kumar, a researcher of marine ecology, said oceans are absorbing 50 per cent of world's carbon oxide and replenish the earth with more than 70 per cent of total oxygen.
Professor CR Babu, ecologist and project in-charge of Biodiversity Parks stated that in 1950, the worldwide use of plastic was 1.5 million tons which has increased to 322 million tons in 2015.
He alarmed the audience by stating that plastic takes 400 yrs to decompose and the day is not far when humans will be replaced by plastics.