NGT Chairperson Asserts Clean Air as a Fundamental Right
In a pointed critique of current environmental policies, Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), has declared that clean air should not be relegated to the realm of environmental aspirations. Instead, he insists, it is a fundamental right that requires urgent, practical action.
Speaking at a recent panel, Justice Shrivastava underscored the importance of clean air, describing it as a necessity rather than a luxury. "We must commit to protect our air with the same fervour as we do our water sources," he stated, illustrating the interconnectedness of ecological health and human well-being.
The Need for Action
The NGT's remarks come in the wake of criticism directed at the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) over its handling of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The programme, ambitiously aiming for a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 2024, has been accused of lacking the robust strategies needed to meet these targets.
Justice Shrivastava's commentary highlights a broader concern: the gap between policy formulation and implementation. While the NCAP sets a promising framework, he emphasises that real progress will only be made through meticulous planning and execution at the ground level.
A Call to Arms
The NGT's call for immediate, actionable steps is not without precedent. It reflects a growing impatience among environmental advocates and the public at large, frustrated by the slow pace of change in air quality standards.
The tribunal's stance positions clean air as a non-negotiable right, aligning with global efforts to prioritise environmental health in policy agendas. As Justice Shrivastava aptly put it, "Let us not lose sight of what is essential. Clean air is not a favour we bestow upon ourselves; it is our right."
With the clock ticking towards 2024, the pressure is mounting on the MoEF to bolster its strategies, ensuring that the NCAP's goals are not just aspirational but achievable. The NGT's message is clear: the time for rhetoric has passed; action is the need of the hour.
