Justice AK Goel retires as NGT Chief; says climate change serious threat to humanity
In a farewell message on his retirement day as Chief of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Justice AK Goel emphasized the gravity of climate change and environmental degradation as existential threats to humanity.
He acknowledged the ongoing efforts of countries worldwide in mitigating these challenges since the Stockholm Conference in 1972 and the more recent Paris Agreement of 2015. However, Justice Goel stressed that despite the enactment of robust environmental laws and significant judicial orders, enforcement remains a major challenge.
"Anthropogenic climate change and environmental degradation is one of most serious existential threats to Humanity today. In the wake of Stockholm Conference on 5th June 1972, and more recently the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries have undertaken continuous measures to mitigate this challenge but, much remains to be done," he said.
The NGT, being a statutory tribunal, holds the responsibility of determining substantial legal questions related to the environment and issuing directions for environmental protection and compensation to affected victims. It is guided by the principle of sustainable development.
Justice Goel acknowledged that one of the main challenges for the NGT is enforcement. He underlined the importance of awareness and initiatives at all levels, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts between citizens and the State in achieving ultimate compliance.
He opined that bridging the gap between the law and its enforcement should be an ongoing endeavor of the judicial process.
Justice Goel expressed his hope that the movement for the protection of the environment will continue to gain momentum with increasing vigor in the future.
Justice Goel was appointed as Chairperson of the NGT on July 6, 2018. He is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India. He is also former Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court and Gauhati High Court, and a former judge of the Gauhati High Court and Punjab and Haryana High Court.
In the last five years, under Justice Goel, the NGT received 15,132 new cases and disposed of 16,042 cases. Out of 16,042, Justice Goel's bench disposed of 8,419 cases.
Further, the NGT took suo motu proceedings in a total of 351 cases relating to river pollution, 100 cases concerning polluted industrial areas, and 143 cases addressing cities with air pollution.
During this period, one the major intervention by NGT was in respect of monitoring gaps in solid and liquid waste management for which three rounds of interaction were held with the Chief Secretaries of all the States and Union Territories.
Based on data furnished by the Chief Secretaries, compensation of ₹79,234.36 crores was determined for damage to environment on account of acknowledged gaps in waste management discharge to the extent of 26,000 MLD (liquid waste) and 56,000 TPD (solid waste), and 18 crore tonnes of legacy waste.
This amount has been required to be kept in ring fenced account for restoration measures as per action plans to be overseen by the Chief Secretaries and further report being considered by the NGT.
