BHUBANESWAR | jan 03, 2017: Vice-Chairman of Special Investigation Team on black money and former Judge of Supreme Court Justice Arijit Pasayat stressed on the role of Indian legislature and judiciary in preventing the threats of modernisation and pollution on environment.
Delivering the 16th edition of Nalco Foundation Day Lecture Series on ‘Environment and Progress: Issues and Challenges’, Pasayat cited various examples from his career as a Judge in the Supreme Court, wherein he dealt with various serious environment issues.
‘’Environmental protection has now become a matter of grave concern for human existence. Therefore, protecting and conserving environment should be a constitutional mandate. There is constitutional imperative on Government bodies to not only ensure and safeguard proper environment but also take adequate measure to promote, protect and improve it,’’ he said.
Ethiopia was once famous for its green cover. But presently, large patches of desert apart from the highest number of underfed children are in Ethiopia, Pasayat said and added that it is because at a point of time, at least 300 ships carrying timber were leaving the ports of the country for the US and other countries. ‘’If we do not pay proper attention, the day is not far when India will also be known as a land of desert,’’ he said.
Stating that the relationship with environment is like that of a mother and child, CMD of Nalco Tapan Kumar Chand called upon the mining fraternity to move from mere mining to scientific and sustainable mining.
‘’Mining with mind is needed to bring the society onboard so that it is done to obtain minerals for development and growth, protect and promote environment to help society prosper and progress,’’ Chand said.
On the occasion, scholarship cheques were handed over to 10 girl students from BPL families from Angul sector under the company’s ‘Nalco Ki Ladli Scheme’ designed in line with the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme of the Centre. Director (HR) B K Thakur also spoke.
(Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/)