Chennai, December 5, 2025: The Southern Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) is set to host the Regional Conference on Environment – 2025 on December 6 and 7, bringing together judicial leaders, environmental experts and policymakers for a significant dialogue on the region’s environmental challenges.
The conference is being organized under the leadership of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal, with guidance from Judicial Member Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and other distinguished Members of the Tribunal. The event aims to strengthen institutional collaboration among courts, regulators, experts and stakeholders working on environmental protection across the southern states.
Justice M.M. Sundresh, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, will inaugurate the conference as the Chief Guest. His presence, along with senior members of the judiciary and government, highlights the growing national focus on environmental jurisprudence and sustainable development. Justice Aravind Kumar, Judge of the Supreme Court, will participate as Special Guest, while Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, will attend as Guest of Honour. Tamil Nadu Minister Thangam Thennarasu will also be present during the inaugural session.
Key Focus Areas: Biodiversity, Waste Management and Coastal Protection
The conference will pay particular attention to regional environmental concerns affecting Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry. Speakers will address the need for improved coordination between enforcement bodies, local governments, scientific institutions and civil society groups.
Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s reminder that the Earth provides enough for everyone’s need but not greed, the event aims to foster responsible development practices while safeguarding ecological balance. Representatives from academia, law enforcement, municipal bodies and environmental organizations are expected to participate.
Technical Sessions Highlight Critical Environmental Issues
Over two days, the conference will host three technical sessions led by senior judges of southern High Courts. The first session, chaired by Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque of the Kerala High Court, will explore challenges in enforcing environmental laws and conserving biodiversity. Discussions will include the functioning of regulatory agencies, compliance monitoring and habitat restoration strategies.
The second session, chaired by Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy of the Madras High Court, will focus on policies governing solid waste and biomedical waste management. With rapid urban growth and increasing medical waste, this session will examine policy gaps, technological interventions and the role of municipalities in improving waste governance. Reference materials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and rules under the Solid Waste Management Regulations may support the discussions .
The third session, chaired by Justice Suraj Govindaraj of the Karnataka High Court, will address the persistent challenges of protecting India’s coastal zones. The session is expected to cover issues such as coastal erosion, pollution, unregulated construction and climate-driven vulnerabilities. Experts will share insights on the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) framework and the need for stronger scientific inputs in planning and enforcement.
Valedictory Session and Recognition of Environmental Contributions
The conference will conclude with a valedictory ceremony led by Justice R. Mahadevan, Judge of the Supreme Court of India. Senior officials from Tamil Nadu’s Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests including Additional Chief Secretary Smt. Supriya Sahu will address the gathering. Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan will also participate.
A prize distribution ceremony will follow, honouring individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to environmental protection and sustainable development. Awards will recognize work in conservation, legal advocacy, community initiatives and scientific research.
The Regional Environment Conference 2025 is expected to set the tone for stronger environmental governance across the southern region, reinforcing the importance of collaboration, scientific evidence and judicial oversight in protecting India’s natural ecosystems.