New Delhi, – Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has called for a global shift in environmental policies, urging developed nations to move beyond political and economic divides and adopt a framework where planetary health is integral to human well-being. Speaking at the National Conference on Environment – 2025, organized by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Dhankhar stressed the urgent need for sustainable resource utilization and stronger regulatory mechanisms.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy: A Lesson Still Unlearned
In a sharp reminder of the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster, Dhankhar highlighted the long-term environmental and health impacts suffered by affected families. He lamented the absence of a robust regulatory body like the NGT at the time, suggesting that a stronger legal framework could have mitigated the damage.
“Even after four decades, families continue to suffer from genetic disorders and groundwater contamination. Had we had a regulatory mechanism like today’s NGT, the outcomes would have been different,” he said.
Call for a New Environmental Ethic
Dhankhar underscored the need for a global environmental ethic, stating that humanity has a moral obligation to protect and preserve the planet.
“We are not the sole owners of this planet. Flora and fauna must thrive alongside humans. If we fail to harmonize with nature, the consequences will be severe,” he warned.
He also urged governments and corporations to prioritize sustainability, cautioning that economic power must not dictate resource exploitation.
Policy Recommendations and Expert Insights
The conference, attended by legal and environmental experts, focused on pressing issues such as air and water pollution, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.
- Justice Anand Pathak of the Madhya Pradesh High Court proposed:
- Transforming minor penalties into tree-planting initiatives
- Encouraging corporate climate responsibility
- Establishing a National Carbon Credit Bank
- Creating a Sovereign Fund for biodiversity conservation
- Supreme Court Justice P S Narsimha emphasized:
- Strengthening institutional integrity for environmental governance
- Enhancing regulatory frameworks at grassroots levels
- Ensuring effective execution of environmental policies
Conference Takeaways & Future Roadmap
During Technical Session IV, experts outlined key strategies for legal and policy advancements in environmental conservation. The session, chaired by Justice P S Narsimha, provided a comprehensive review of discussions held over the two-day conference.
Key recommendations included:
✔ Strengthening environmental regulations and enforcement
✔ Promoting community-driven conservation initiatives
✔ Encouraging corporate sustainability commitments
As the conference concluded, Dhankhar’s address reinforced the urgency of environmental responsibility, calling for global cooperation to ensure a sustainable and ecologically balanced future.
