Environmental neglect draws servere criticism

PUNE, April 19: Justice Kuldeep Singh's speech may not be as stirring as his landmark judgements, but for the former Supreme Court Judge ...

PUNE, April 19: Justice Kuldeep Singh8217;s speech may not be as stirring as his landmark judgements, but for the former Supreme Court Judge his crusade for environment protection continues undiminished even beyond the office of judiciary.

In one such display of concern for environment, Singh today lashed out at the country8217;s polity for ignoring deteriorating environmental status of the country.

Delivering a talk on quot;Conservation, preservation and perpetuation of nature- issues and actions neededquot;8217; at the inaugural session of two-day seminar organised by Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development SCMHRD Justice Singh called for a national law for non-renewable resources.

8220;Neither the industries nor the government is bothered to look into the grave issue of depleting non-renewable resources,8221; said Justice Singh, who was often referred to as green terrorist8217; in the industrial circles for his judgement which ordered the shifting of polluting industries from Agra to save the Taj Mahal.

Indian scenario today is a grim picture of environmental degradation. 8220;The industries which cannot control pollution have no right to remain in the business,8221; the former Judge remarked sternly. Preserving the environment is everyone8217;s responsibility. A public opinion has to be created in its favour and industry has to be come friendly, he said.

We might claim to be a developing nation but the country has not even accomplished the basic standards of industrialisation. Even the term of sustainable development is often misunderstood. Today8217;s development has to be in such a way that it does not affect the development the future generations, said Justice Singh.

8220;We must all get together and make genuine attempts to reverse the severe damage caused to our ecology8221;, said Justice Singh as he made an impassioned appeal to the students of SCMHRD to take the initiative in saving the environment.