In a landmark initiative merging environmental stewardship with legal advocacy, Supreme Court Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta graced the “Green Justice” conference organized by the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority on April 5.
NEW DELHI: In a significant step toward integrating environmental consciousness with legal advocacy, Supreme Court Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta recently participated in a high-profile conference titled
“Green Justice: Role of Legal Services Institutions for a Green and Clean Environment and Sustainable Development.”
The event was organized on April 5 by the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RSLSA) and brought together judicial luminaries, legal services authorities, and social reformers under one platform to champion ecological preservation and gender empowerment.
A Visit to Piplantri: Where Trees Celebrate Daughters
Ahead of the conference, the judges visited Piplantri village, renowned for its unique eco-conscious tradition. For over two decades, the village has marked the birth of every girl child by planting 111 trees, a green tribute initiated by former Sarpanch Shyam Sundar Paliwal.
The visit left a deep impression on the dignitaries, with Justice Gavai calling it a “pilgrimage” and lauding the transformation achieved through community-driven environmentalism.
Merging Ecology with Justice
The afternoon conference saw a series of insightful addresses focusing on the dual themes of environmental protection and the empowerment of the girl child. Justice Gavai, who also serves as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), emphasized the judiciary’s essential role in safeguarding natural resources and promoting sustainable development. He pointed out the delicate balance between progress and preservation, asserting that growth should not compromise the needs of future generations.
He also expressed optimism over growing environmental awareness among youth, citing a recent instance in Hyderabad where 1,000 students mobilized to protect a forest—an image he said brought a smile to his face.
Justice Sandeep Mehta added a moral dimension to the conversation, stating that “Green Justice” is not merely a legal principle but a profound ethical responsibility. He proposed the concept of a “Green Opportunity” as a fresh lens through which to view sustainable development and judicial activism.
Bridging Legal Frameworks with Social Reform
Union Minister of Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, also addressed the gathering. He praised the RSLSA’s eco-initiatives and paid homage to iconic environmental defenders like Sundar Lal Bahuguna, architect of the Chipko movement, and Amrita Devi, who laid down her life to protect Khejri trees.
Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava echoed these sentiments, linking the idea of “Green Justice” to fundamental rights and underlining the role of legal services in bridging the gap between laws, judicial interpretation, and ground-level implementation.
Launch of “Srijan ki Suraksha Yojana 2025 – Eco Feminism”
In a powerful demonstration of eco-feminism, the RSLSA launched an innovative pilot scheme titled “Srijan ki Suraksha Yojana 2025 – Eco Feminism.” As part of this initiative, one village panchayat from each of Rajasthan’s 36 districts will participate in a program where 11 saplings will be planted for every girl child born.
Families will be issued ‘Green Girl Cards’, which will connect them to legal aid services and government welfare schemes. If successful, this model is likely to be scaled up across the state.
Eight girls from Piplantri village were also given benefits under the Piplantri Panchayat Kiran Nidhi Yojana during the event, reinforcing the state’s commitment to empowering young girls through inclusive environmental action.
Publications and Legal Awareness Initiatives
The event also marked the launch of several significant publications:
- ‘Asha’, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) released by NALSA, aimed at preventing child marriages.
- ‘Nari Ki Udaan’, a book celebrating women’s empowerment.
- ‘Green Verdicts – A Comprehensive Digest of Recent Environmental Law Cases’, compiling key judgments promoting environmental justice.
- RSLSA’s 2025 calendar and Annual Action Plan, detailing the authority’s vision for the upcoming year.
- A special booklet titled “Empowering Justice: RSLSA’s Journey of Legal Aid & Reforms 2022–2025,” showcasing the organization’s achievements in legal aid delivery, reform campaigns, and public awareness over the last three years.
The event concluded with the inauguration of a Legal Awareness Camp, which not only educated the public about forest conservation but also distributed wheelchairs to specially-abled beneficiaries and extended assistance under various welfare schemes.
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