Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Inaugurates Seminar on Environmental Laws and Harmful Effects of Pollution

Aizawl, February 2026 : The Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court and Patron-in-Chief of the Mizoram State Legal Services Authority, Justice Ashutosh Kumar, on Monday inaugurated a one-day seminar titled “One Day Seminar on Various Provisions of Environmental Laws and the Harmful Impacts of Pollution and Environmental Degradation” at the Conference Hall of the Gauhati High Court, Aizawl Bench, MINECO. The seminar was organised by the Mizoram State Legal Services Authority.

While addressing the gathering, Justice Ashutosh Kumar said it was encouraging that such an important and globally relevant issue was being discussed through the seminar. He emphasised that the environment we live in is not our inherited property, but a trust handed down to us for future generations. Highlighting landmark environmental movements such as the Chipko Movement and the movement to protect Kerala’s Silent Valley, he underlined the importance of collective action in environmental conservation.

Justice Kumar further stated that the Constitution of India, through Articles 21, 48 and 51, recognises the protection of the environment and the right to a clean and healthy environment as both a fundamental right and a fundamental duty of every citizen. He explained that the judiciary has consistently upheld environmental protection under the Doctrine of Absolute Trust and through the application of the Precautionary Principle, reflecting the courts’ strong commitment to safeguarding nature. He urged participants to engage meaningfully in the seminar for wider understanding and benefit.

During the seminar, Dr. Lalramnghaki Pachuau, Scientist (C) from the Mizoram Pollution Control Board (MPCB), presented an overview of the current pollution scenario in India and Mizoram, along with its potential future impacts. This was followed by an interactive discussion. Dr. Shantanu Dutta, Regional Director of the Central Pollution Control Board, delivered a session on environmental protection laws and their impact on public health and living conditions.

Following deliberations on various themes, the concluding session was chaired by Lucy Ngurkhumi Sailo, Scientist at MPCB, and Lalventluanga, Office Secretary of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department.

The inaugural session was presided over by Justice Nelson Sailo, Judge of the Gauhati High Court and Executive Chairman of the Mizoram State Legal Services Authority, who welcomed the participants. Justice Michael Zothankhuma, Judge of the Gauhati High Court, spoke on the importance of environmental protection, key initiatives taken by the High Court and the Supreme Court, and the environmental rights of citizens. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. H.T.C. Lalrinchhana, Registrar of the Gauhati High Court (Aizawl Bench) and Secretary of the High Court Legal Services Committee, bringing the inaugural session to a close.