HKE Society’s Seth Shankarlal Lahoti (SSL) Law College organised a Green Initiative Programme on Wednesday in connection with World Environment Day, with Senior Civil Judge and District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Secretary Srinivas Navale calling upon students and the legal fraternity to play a proactive role in environmental protection.

The programme was inaugurated by Mr. Navale through plantation of a sapling on the college campus.

Addressing the gathering, he stressed the urgent need to address environmental degradation and encouraged citizens to actively participate in conservation efforts.

He observed that law students and members of the legal profession bear a greater responsibility towards protecting the environment as they possess the knowledge, awareness and legal tools necessary to tackle environmental challenges.

Mr. Navale also highlighted the role and relevance of the Green Tribunal in safeguarding environmental interests and ensuring compliance with environmental laws.

The programme began with a rendition of Nada Geete by student Sakshi. Principal Maheshwari Hiremath welcomed the guests and delivered the keynote address. HKE Society governing council member and college convener Naganna S. Ghante and professor Narendra Badashehi were present.

As part of the programme, students, teaching and non-teaching staff took a green pledge to protect and preserve the environment. Tejaswani of the Azim Premji Foundation was felicitated on the occasion.

The college also distributed saplings procured from the Forest Department to sister institutions of the HKE Society as part of its environmental awareness initiative.