Climate change and environment has become one of the greatest issues of the world. The fires in Amazon forests to the Coronavirus, which is taking thousands of life, are the alarms to make us alert and do the needful to amend what we have unhinged in past few years. The destruction we caused in the name of development.
Citing the relationship between environmental issues and the judiciary, the Chief Justice of India, S A Bobde said the environmental issues cannot be hindered by the borders that divide the countries. “Water and wind flow seamlessly across the earth and even under it. The growth of vegetation effects both the animals and the mankind. Perhaps there is the greatest need for single system of laws in this regard. It is said that human beings are seeds as well as parasites to the earth. We take much more than we give back to the earth”, said the Chief Justice.
He was speaking at the International Judicial Conference 2020, ‘Judiciary and the Changing World’. The Chief Justice further emphasized on environmental issues stating that as we look to the future, a significant consideration in the delivery of justice is the protection and preservation of the environment in the dispensation of justice.
He stated further that climate has already started showing its anger in the form of all kinds of destructions. But still the present generation has barely started working to save the environment. They have no right to obstruct the safety and wellbeing of the next generation or the generation to come thereafter.
He emphasized that India serves as a beacon of hope to independent and developing countries.
“Our own judgements look to the wisdom of our international colleagues. Yet a judge never loses sight of the need to tailor judicial decisions to the social realities of their own country”, said the Chief Justice.
