'Rapid industrialisation leads to pollution'

Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir Saturday expressed concern over rapid industrialisation and growing population leading to increase in air and water pollution.

He said the judiciary has infused life in many environmental laws through its judgments, which earlier existed only on papers.

Speaking at a seminar on "Pollution, a growing menace" organised by the state legal services authority here, Justice Mir cited an example of the Supreme Court to expand the right to life under article 21 of the constitution to hold that the right includes the right to live with human dignity.

"It must include the right to basic necessities of life, including clean and hygienic environment," he added.

He cited the judgments of the apex court holding that the right to live includes the right to enjoy pollution free water and air.

The chief justice said he belonged to Jammu and Kashmir and promised that he would discharge his duties as the chief justice to protect the pristine beauty of Himachal Pradesh too.

Justice Sanjay Karol said he has considered himself privileged to be a member of the green bench, which was earlier set up in the high court to hear environmental cases.

"Pollution is a grave problem and the high court has taken serious note of the problem. It has passed many landmark judgments and orders against violators of the environmental laws be it a person or a group, government authorities or statutory bodies," he said.