The North East Adventist University Church, Khliehtyrshi celebrated Global Youth Day with a cleaning drive and a workshop on provision of the Environmental laws and helpful impact of pollution and environment degradation.
The celebration was held in collaboration with the West Jaintia Hills District Legal Service Authority and the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB).
MSPCH Senior Environmental Engineer W R Kharkrang during the session emphasised the importance of pollution control , waste management and sustainable practices to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.
Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel F. B Passah 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 Mother Earth is often considered sacred 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 and stated that the drafter did not initially prioritise environmental concerns.
Passah explained the historical progression of environmental laws in India, highlighting 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 sticker environmental regulations, leading to the enactment of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. He said the Act was a landmark piece of the legislation that laid the foundation for modern environmental governance in India, aiming at safeguarding natural resources.
Passah stressed that true progress is not just measured in economic terms but also in how well a country and state preserves its natural resources for future generations.
NEAU Vice Chancellor Dr. P. Bhaggian, Church pastor Pr. P Shanpliang, headman of Khliehryshi K Rymbai and many others attended the celebration.
