He said, “The capital city of India regularly experiences high levels of pollution. I believe we can all agree that it is not acceptable for our children to grow up in an environment where they need masks to play outside or worry about respiratory ailments at a young age.”
New Delhi: Supreme Court Judge Justice Vikram Nath has called for stricter regulations on emissions and greater investments in clean technologies to fight pollution. He said it is unacceptable that children have to wear masks just to play outside.
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He was speaking at the National Conference on Environment 2025, held at Vigyan Bhawan on Saturday. The event was inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu, who was the chief guest.
Justice Nath expressed deep concern about the high pollution levels in India’s capital city.
He said, “The capital city of India regularly experiences high levels of pollution. I believe we can all agree that it is not acceptable for our children to grow up in an environment where they need masks to play outside or worry about respiratory ailments at a young age.”
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, he added, “This is an urgent call for action, a signal that we must come together to regulate emissions, invest in cleaner technologies and think of sustainable transport options that allow economic progress without compromising the air we breathe.”
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Justice Nath also pointed out that water pollution is another major issue, stating that many sacred rivers have been contaminated by untreated waste.
“When I see these riversides, I feel a mix of nostalgia and concern … Nostalgia for how vibrant and pure these waters once were and concern for our inability to preserve them in their natural glory. Treating industrial effluent, enhancing sewage infrastructure and encouraging local communities to maintain cleanliness along riverbanks are essential steps,” he said.
The Supreme Court judge also praised the role of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which has been instrumental in resolving environmental disputes since its establishment in 2010.
He remarked, “By championing ‘polluter pays’ and precautionary principles, the tribunal has pushed industries, government bodies and citizens to rethink the use of natural resources.”
Justice Nath stressed the importance of government policies promoting green technologies and the responsibility of industries and civil society in protecting the environment.
“The government’s policies must encourage green technologies. Industries must be mindful of their environmental footprint and civil society must continue raising awareness and holding us accountable,” he said.
He further noted that the judiciary is dedicated to ensuring the constitutional right to a healthy environment but emphasized that environmental protection requires collective efforts.
“It is when we work in tandem that we can create meaningful and lasting transformation in the days ahead. Let us remember why we are here. We are here because we believe that progress does not have to be through pollution and that development can and must be in harmony with nature,” he said.
Urging for a united approach to protecting nature, he concluded, “Let us leave with the understanding that the environment is not an external entity we manipulate at will. It is an extension of our collective souls, intrinsically linked to our health, culture, economy and spirit.”
He further emphasized, “When we protect nature, we protect ourselves and it is with that spirit of unity and responsibility that I urge all of us to continue this journey forging a future where India stands tall as a symbol of sustainable growth and environmental harmony.”
Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Attorney General R Venkataramani on Environmental Policies
National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava also spoke at the event, appreciating the inclusivity of the conference.
He remarked, “The conference stands out for its inclusivity, bringing together jurists, experts, faculty and students, all united by a commitment to sustainability.”
Attorney General R Venkataramani discussed the challenges posed by urbanization and the need for better regulations.
“I consider that our regulatory bodies need radical changes. Lack of social awareness and social acknowledgement of environmental consciousness or serious impediments that deserve deeper engagement,” he said.
He also suggested reforms in environmental laws, emphasizing the need for more citizen participation.
“I also think that the corpus of environmental laws need to be redesigned, and the conventional framework where citizen involvement and engagement is in a mass measure is absent, and this will have to be addressed. We need to go beyond mere penal and coercive enforcement systems,” he added.
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