Chennai: Supreme Court judges on Friday underlined the need for “cooperative ecological federalism” and a return to traditional environmental wisdom to address pressing ecological challenges at a two-day National Green Tribunal (NGT) Regional Conference on Environment-2025 held here.

The conference, organised by the NGT Southern Zone Bench and the southern State Pollution Control Boards, was inaugurated at Kalaivanar Arangam by Supreme Court Judge Justice M M Sundresh. Emphasising the value of traditional practices, he said environmental damage has far-reaching consequences and recalled the impact of pollution caused by the dyeing industry on communities. He also stressed the importance of safeguarding coastal zones.

Special Guest Justice Aravind Kumar noted the gap between “law on paper and life on ground” and called for “cooperative ecological federalism” among southern states, suggesting the meeting could mark the beginning of a regional environmental compact.

Madras High Court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, the Guest of Honour, cited a WWF report indicating a nearly 69 per cent decline in global wildlife populations and urged adoption of preventive measures rather than relying only on court-driven remedies.

The inaugural session was presided over by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava. Tamil Nadu Minister Thangam Thennarasu and Advocate General P S Raman were also present. The conference will conclude on December 7.