🔍Introduction
Environmental laws play a major role in protecting natural resources and maintaining ecological balance. This chapter explains how laws and treaties—both national and international—are used to conserve the environment. It also highlights India's participation in global agreements that aim to address pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
📘What is Environmental Law?
Environmental law is a body of regulations and rules that governs how humans interact with nature. It includes laws to control pollution, protect wildlife, manage waste, and ensure sustainable development.
Types of Environmental Law:
- National Laws: Enforced by a country to control activities within its borders.
- International Laws: Agreements between countries to address global environmental challenges like climate change and ozone depletion.
🌍Major International Environmental Agreements
These treaties have been signed by multiple countries to deal with global environmental problems:
- UNFCCC: Tackles climate change. Leads to protocols like the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement.
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Aims to protect ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Stockholm Convention: Focuses on controlling harmful chemicals called POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants).
- Montreal Protocol: Phases out ozone-depleting substances.
- CITES: Regulates international trade of endangered species.
- Basel Convention: Controls hazardous waste movement across countries.
⚖️National Environmental Legislation in India
India has passed several laws to protect the environment and manage natural resources responsibly.
1. Environmental Protection Act, 1986
- Empowers the central government to regulate all forms of pollution.
- Provides authority to set environmental standards and conduct assessments.
2. Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- Preserves India's biodiversity and ensures fair use of genetic resources.
- Supports local knowledge and community involvement.
3. Forest Rights Act, 2006
- Protects the rights of forest-dwelling communities.
- Allows them access and use of forest land and resources.
4. Pollution Control Acts
- Air Act (1981) and Water Act (1974) regulate pollution from industries.
- Establish Pollution Control Boards at state and central levels.
🏛️Key International Organisations
These organisations guide global efforts and help countries with environmental governance:
- UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme): Promotes global environmental cooperation.
- IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Provides data and tools for species and habitat conservation.
- IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change): Provides scientific reports on climate change.
- WCED (World Commission on Environment and Development): Introduced the concept of sustainable development.
🧑🤝🧑Public Participation and NGOs
Environmental protection is not just a government task. Citizens and NGOs also play important roles:
- Organising awareness programs and clean-up drives
- Filing legal actions through Public Interest Litigations (PILs)
- Participating in environmental impact assessments (EIAs)
📌India's Global Environmental Commitment
India has signed and ratified multiple global environmental treaties and protocols, including:
- Paris Agreement (2016) – Committed to reducing carbon intensity
- Kyoto Protocol (2002) – Voluntary emission reduction targets
- CBD (1994), CITES (1976), and UNCCD (1996)
🧠Conclusion
Environmental laws and international treaties are powerful tools to protect nature and people. By enforcing rules and cooperating globally, we can build a more sustainable and healthier world. Public participation, global agreements, and strong national policies together make environmental protection possible.
