‘Panchtattva’, as per Hinduism and yogic philosophy, refers to the five fundamental elements of nature, which are earth, water, fire, air and space. Earth (prithvi) represents stability, grounding and structure in the form of mountains, rocks, soil etc. Water (jala) symbolises fluidity, adaptability and transformation in the form of oceans, rivers and lakes. Fire (agni) represents energy and passion through the sun, volcanoes, lightning etc. Air (vayu) represents movement, communication and intellect in the form of every breath we take, the wind that blows and the atmosphere that surrounds us. Ether / space (akasha) represents the infinite, the void and the connection to the divine through the vast sky, space and the unknown. As per the Rig Veda all forms of life on this planet are based on the harmonious functioning of these five elements. These five elements are believed to be present in all living beings and are often used in meditation, yoga, and Ayurveda to balance and harmonize the body, mind and spirit.
Panchtattva Foundation® has been established with the objective to protect everything around us that is formed of these five elements. It is an initiative to protect India’s environment, inculcate respect towards nature, promote conservation of natural resources, support quality research and education, work with various stakeholders to promote sustainability and contribute towards environmental awareness and education.
Panchtattva Foundation
Our Founder, Nawneet Vibhaw is a lawyer qualified to practice in India. He specializes in environmental disputes, environmental regulatory advisory, ESG and climate change matters. Nawneet received his B.A., LL.B.(Hons.) degree from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad and his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Environment and Natural Resources Law from Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, Oregon, USA, where he specialized in Environment, Energy and Climate Change law.
Nawneet is an independent environmental lawyer and leads a specialised environmental law practice called Panchtattva Advocates. Nawneet was earlier a Partner at Khaitan & Co. and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., where like his current role, he was focusing on environmental disputes, environmental advisory and environment, social and governance (ESG) matters.
Nawneet has received awards and recognitions from Asian Development Bank, Manila, Philippines; Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) and Robert Bosch Stiftung, Potsdam, Germany; University of Antwerp, Belgium; Forbes India; Legal 500; Business World Magazine; Lewis & Clark Law School, USA and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India.
Nawneet has earlier taught environmental law and energy law at National Law University Delhi and Jindal Global Law School, Delhi NCR. He has also taught and delivered lectures at various law and management schools in India and abroad like National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, University of Technology, Sydney, University of Antwerp, Belgium etc. Nawneet is an Adjunct Professor at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad since March, 2023.
Nawneet has authored three books on environment, energy and climate change laws which have been published by LexisNexis India. He has authored more than ten international publications, more than eighty articles and columns in Indian newspapers and magazines and has been quoted in more than twenty publications. Nawneet has participated as a speaker in more than fifty conferences and seminars and has appeared in panel discussions on national news channels like CNN News18, NDTV India, NDTV 24X7, DD News and NewsX. Nawneet has also been interviewed by BBC News on several occasions to talk about India’s leadership during the G20 Summit in climate change adaptation and mitigation and environment protection and on various other environmental issues in India.
National Finals of 70th Constitution Day Environmental Law National Moot Court Competition organized by Ministry of Human Resource Development, University Grants Commission
National Law University Delhi.
18 October, 2020
India Finals of Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition
2019 and 2020
Central Pollution Control Board
New Delhi,
2012 – 2013
Law and Policy Advisor, Envirta
Envirta
2011 to 2014
IT Project Board, Navjyoti-IGNOU Community College
New Delhi,
2012-13
Preliminary Regional Rounds (Pacific North West, USA) of the Philip C. Jessups International Moot Court Competition
Moot Court Competition,
March, 2010
Executive Board Member, Environmental Law & Practice Review
2009 – 2013