The North East Adventist University Church, Khliehtyrshi celebrated Global Youth Day which the NEAU Church observes annually through cleaning drive. This year the District Legal Service Authority, West Jaintia Hills in collaboration with Meghalaya State pollution Control Board joined to celebrate this day by conducting a workshop on “Various provision of Environmental Laws and Helpful Impact of Pollution and Environment Degradation”.
As shared by one of the speaker of NEAU that this initiative had a positive impact, on seeing this initiative some parents sent their children to participate in the cleaning drive and shopkeepers provided sacks for wastes collection. He praised the community’s involvement, emphasing that cleanliness is not just a social responsibility but also moral duty.
As part of the programme, the participants present were also educated on environmental issues. A workshop on environmental awareness was conducted by Shri. W R Kharkrang, Senior Environmental Engineer MSPCB.
During the session he emphasised the importance of pollution control, waste management and sustainable practices to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.
Shri. F. B Passah, Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel discussed the evolution of Environmental Laws in India, stressing on Environmental Protection Act 1986.
He pointed out that, although India has a deep rooted cultural and religious connection to nature, where the environment is often considered sacred, refered to as Mother Earth, there was no explicit mention of environmental conservation original constitution when it was drafted in 1950.
He highlighted the absence of some environmental provisions in the early years of India’s Independence, emphasing that the drafter did not initially prioritize environmental concerns.
He explained the historical progression of environmental laws in India, hilighting that it was only after the Stockholm conference of 1972 that India recognised the urgent need for environmental legislation, leading to the 42nd constitutional Amendment 1976, which introduced Article 48A under the Directive Principles of the State Policy (DPSP) and Article 51A (g) under the Fundamental duties, reinforcing the responsibility of both the government and citizens to protect and improve the environment.
He further explained how the Bhopal Tragedy (1984) exposed the need for stricker environmental regulations, leading to the enactment of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. He empasised that the EAP, 1986 was a landmark piece of the legislation that laid the foundation for modern environmental governance in India, aiming at safeguarding natural resources.
Shri. Passah stressed that true progress is not just measured in economic terms but also in how well a country and state preserves it’s natural resources for future generations.
Smt. B. Majaw, Secretary of District Legal Service Authority, Khliehtyrshi delivered the vote of thanks.
Among others present were Dr. P. Bhaggian, Vice Chancellor NEAU, Pr. P Shangpliang, Church poster NEAU English Church, Shri. P. Khyriam, Lecturer AHSS, Shri. K. Rymbai headman of Khliehtyshi, Smt. F. Sari, para Legal volunteer.
