NEAU Church marks Global Youth Day with cleaning drive and environmental workshop

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 15, 2025

The North East Adventist University (NEAU) Church, Khliehtyrshi, celebrated Global Youth Day on March 14 with its annual cleaning drive. This year, the District Legal Services Authority, West Jaintia Hills, in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, joined the initiative by conducting a workshop on “Various Provisions of Environmental Laws and the Impact of Pollution and Environmental Degradation.”

As part of the programme, the participants present were also educated on environmental issues. A workshop on environmental awareness was conducted by WR Kharkrang, Senior Environmental Engineer, MSPCB. During the session, he emphasized the importance of pollution control, waste management, and sustainable practices to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.

A speaker from NEAU highlighted the positive impact of the initiative, noting that some parents, inspired by the effort, sent their children to participate in the cleaning drive, while shopkeepers contributed sacks for waste collection. He praised the community’s involvement, emphasizing that cleanliness is not just a social responsibility but also a moral duty.provide nment.

FB Passah, Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel, discussed the evolution of environmental laws in India, focusing on the Environmental Protection Act of 1986. He pointed out that while India has a deep-rooted cultural and religious connection to nature, the original Constitution drafted in 1950 did not explicitly mention environmental conservation. He explained that it was only after the Stockholm Conference of 1972 that India recognized the urgent need for environmental legislation, leading to the 42nd Constitutional Amendment of 1976, which introduced Article 48A under the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) and Article 51A (g) under Fundamental Duties, reinforcing the responsibility of both the government and citizens to protect and improve the environment.

He further highlighted how the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984 exposed the need for stricter environmental regulations, leading to the enactment of the Environmental Protection Act of 1986. He described the act as a landmark piece of legislation that laid the foundation for modern environmental governance in India, aimed at safeguarding natural resources. Passah emphasized that true progress is not only measured in economic terms but also in how well a country and state preserve their natural resources for future generations.

B Majaw, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, delivered the vote of thanks.

Others present included Dr. P Bhaggian, Vice Chancellor of NEAU; Pr. P Shanpliang, Church Pastor of NEAU English Church; P Khyriam, Lecturer at AHSS; K Rymbai, Headman of Khliehtyrshi; and F Sari, Para Legal Volunteer.