The Students’ International Conference on Environmental Problems in South Asia (ICEPSA) that took place from 30th January to 2nd February, 2015, was a unique initiative by the students of the University School of Law and Legal Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, under the guidance of Dean Professor M. Afzal Wani. This conference brought forth a new generation of students with a radical approach towards the already persisting environmental problem with detrimental effects on the society at large.

Day one of the conference began with an interactive session with Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International, about the situation of widows in Vrindavan, the plight of manual scavengers and the noble work done by Dr. Pathak for improving the quality of life of the most vulnerable sections of society. The inaugural address given by Ho’nble Mr. Justice Swatanter Kumar, Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal, enlightened those present about the recent developments in the field of environment. The inauguration was also graced by Guest of Honour Prof. Manoj Kumar Sinha, Director of the Indian Law Institute, and the keynote address was delivered by Mr. M. V. Shekhar, the Vice President of the Supreme Court Bar Association. The evening saw a brilliant performance by an emerging band called Avyukt as a part of the cultural night of ICEPSA.

During the three day conference, around 45 papers were impeccably presented by more than 65 participants from neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, and also from different regions of the country addressing some of the prominent environmental issues faced by today’s world ranging from the parameters and dimensions of environmental problems in South Asia to climatic change and sustainable development. The dynamic relationship between environment, sanitation, health and crime took place at Sulabh International as a part of session 4, serving as an eye-opening experience for the participants. It threw light on the innovative techniques used by this organisation to deal with the menace of inadequate and improper sanitation and hygiene. The day concluded with “Kasak” a moving play on religion based violence in the aftermath of the partition of India by Aveksha, the Dramatics Society of IP University succeeded with a wonderful performance by the Asmita Theatre Group on the negative impacts of climate change.

The final day began with a technical session on poverty and environment followed by a session on environment as a human right, and then a session on water and e-waste management and was concluded by a session on environmental activism of the legislature and the judiciary, prior to which Prof. Ranbir Singh, Vice Chancellor of National Law University, Delhi, shared his thoughts on environmental issues. The conference successfully opened up a number of avenues for discussion to resolve a variety of environmental problems in South Asia and sensitised the ones present about the effects of the climatic change and gave a unique platform to all students to address the alarming issue pertaining to environment.

The Convenor of the conference, Mr. Sohan Kumar Vats, was glad that the event was executed smoothly and the students’ initiative brought tremendous success to the event. In the words of Ms. Nagma khan, the student co-convenor of the conference, “The conference’s theme was envisaged to cut across different streams and involve the largest section of the society. This highly innovative idea was the vision of our dean sir to provide autonomy to the students by organizing a conference of the kind which in the true sense can be termed as for the students, of the students and by the students. The participants have taken back sweet memories from the law school and are highly appreciative of the organizing committee. With the kind of response ICEPSA has garnered, I wish it kindles the path in the school for many more events in the days to come.”