SC judge: Children shouldn't need masks to play outdoors

New Delhi

On Saturday, Supreme Court Judge Justice Vikram Nath highlighted the urgent need to regulate emissions and invest in cleaner technologies to combat pollution, stressing that it's unacceptable for children to grow up in an environment where they require masks to play outside. Speaking at the National Conference on Environment - 2025, Justice Nath called for solutions that balance economic growth and environmental health. He emphasized that government policies should prioritize green technologies.

Justice Nath expressed concern over the capital's high pollution levels and the impact on children's health, urging immediate action to regulate emissions, invest in clean technologies, and promote sustainable transportation. He also raised alarms about water pollution, particularly the contamination of sacred rivers with untreated waste, and stressed the importance of treating industrial effluent and improving sewage infrastructure.

He praised the National Green Tribunal for its role in addressing environmental disputes since its establishment in 2010, noting that it had helped push industries, governments, and citizens to rethink natural resource use. Justice Nath also emphasized the need for collective efforts in environmental protection, asserting that progress should not come at the cost of pollution.

He urged the gathering to understand that the environment is deeply connected to human health, culture, economy, and spirit, calling for a future where India stands as a symbol of sustainable growth and environmental harmony. National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Attorney General R Venkataramani also shared their insights on sustainability and the need for regulatory reforms.