NGT conference concludes in Chennai, call for coastal protection and sustainable action

Chennai: The second and final day of the Regional Conference on Environment 2025, organized by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone Bench, Chennai, in collaboration with Pollution Control Boards and Committees of the southern States, concluded, with a resounding call for strengthened environmental governance and urgent coastal protection measures.

Held under the leadership of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, NGT, and guided Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member, NGT (Southern Zone), the conference brought together judges, environmental scientists, policy experts, and administrators to deliberate on escalating ecological challenges.

The day commenced with the third thematic session on Challenges in Protecting Coastal Zones, chaired by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Suraj Govindaraj, Judge, High Court of Karnataka. His lordship underscored the devastating impact of human activity on marine ecosystems illustrated by distressing examples like a whale discovered with 100 plastic bags in its stomach and microplastics now being detected in human biological systems such as breast milk and placenta.

Calling for proactive judicial and administrative intervention, Justice Govindaraj stressed that “environmental degradation must be prevented, not merely remedied.”

Dr. Murali Krishna Chimata, Additional Director / Scientist-E, MoEF&CC (Regional Office, Vijayawada), noted that India’s 11,098.81 km-long coastline is under severe threat. With 11–12 million tonnes of plastic entering oceans annually and 405 global dead zones expanding, the economic and ecological stakes are high.

Oceans support 3 billion people and provide 20% of global protein, while coral reefs and mangroves remain critical for biodiversity and shoreline protection. He highlighted global conventions and India’s regulatory frameworks aimed at addressing these challenges.

From Kerala, Dr. Kalaiarasan, Environmental Engineer and Additional Project Director, Directorate of Environment & Climate Change, detailed coastal erosion, waste mismanagement, and enforcement issues, citing over 2,700 violations by 2020.

He presented sediment cell–based coastal classification by NCSCM and revealed nationwide shoreline changes between 1992 and 2022: 34% erosion and 26.9% accretion. Climate projections warn of a 1.1°C to 2°C temperature rise by 2030, escalating to 3.3°C to 4.8°C by 2080.

Environmental activist Dr. T.D. Babu stressed the urgent need to address root causes of ecological decline. He highlighted the immense value of the Bay of Bengal’s seagrass meadows, known for high carbon sequestration, and mangroves, which act as natural bio-shields and fish nurseries. He warned that unregulated human activities continue to damage lagoons, mudflats, and fish habitats.

The conference concluded with a Valedictory Session graced by Justice R. Mahadevan, Judge, Supreme Court of India. In his address, Justice Prakash Shrivastava invoked Justice Mahadevan’s landmark judgment mandating industries to bear complete responsibility for ecological restoration—a principle he said must guide future environmental governance.

He also acknowledged the contributions of legal experts and administrators, including Mr. A.R.L. Sundaresan, Additional Solicitor General of India, and Smt. Supriya Sahu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change & Forests, Tamil Nadu.

Justice Shrivastava concluded by reflecting on a Sanskrit verse urging collective responsibility toward sustaining a green planet, saying “Through justice, let us protect the Earth; through regulation, let us safeguard life’s treasures. Together in righteous action, may we uphold a green environment.”

Supriya Sahu highlighted Tamil Nadu’s pioneering environmental initiatives, emphasizing the transition from policy formulation to on-ground implementation, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation.

Mr. A.R.L. Sundaresan reiterated that two priorities must define environmental governance going forward: protecting the environment today and preserving biodiversity for future generations.

The conference closed with a Prize Distribution Ceremony, honoring students who excelled in various environmental competitions held as part of the event—encouraging youth participation in ecological stewardship.