ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND LAW

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University · LL.B. Semester 2 · LL.B/205

Unit I — Environment, Biosphere and Ecosystem

A. Types of Environment · B. Components of Environment · C. Sources and causes of environmental pollution · D. Effects of environment degradation · E. Environmental Pollution-Meaning, definition and kinds · F. Nature and Scope of Environmental Law – Importance · G. Law as a tool for Environmental Protection, Environment protection related programs Protection of Environment under the Indian Constitution · A. Introduction – Indirect Provisions, International Obligations, 42nd Constitution Amendment Act, 1976 · B. Directive Principles of State Policy - Fundamental Duties · C. Development of Fundamental Right to Environment - Judicial Role, Expansion of Locus Standii, PIL, Constitutional Remedy for Protection of Environment, Dynamic Interpretation of Article 21, 14 & 19 of the Constitution · D. Right to Wholesome Environment – Right to Clean and Pollution- free Environment, Right to Sweet Water · E. Incorporation of International Principles under Indian Constitution – Sustainable Development - Precautionary and Polluter Pays Principles, Absolute and Strict Liability, Doctrine of Public Trust

Unit II — International Law and Environmental Protection

A. History and Development of Environmental Protection under International Law - Major international instruments for environmental protection. · B. Fundamental Principles of International Environmental Law · C. United Nations Conference on Human Environment, 1972 (Stockholm Conference) – Aims and Objectives of the Conference, Stockholm Declaration, 1972, Impact of Stockholm – UNEP- Vienna Convention & Montreal Protocol, World Charter for Nature,1982. · D. WCED – The Brundtland Commission, Brundtland Report 1987. · E. United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED/Earth Summit) – Aims and Objectives of Conference, Rio Declaration 1992, Agenda 21, · F. Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992, Statement of Forest Principles, UNFCCC · G. Earth Summit Plus Five - Kyoto Protocol, 1997; Millennium Development Goals · H. Johannesburg Conference 2002 (WSSD) - Johannesburg Declaration & Major Outcomes History and Development of Environmental Law in India · A. Environmental Protection in Ancient Indian Tradition and Culture - · Protection of Environment in Ancient India and During Medieval Period · B. Protection of Environment during British Period – Major Legislations · C. Protection of Environment during Post Independence Period – Pitambar Pant Committee, Tiwari Committee, NCEP, Department of Environment, MoEF, · D. Environmental Plans and Policies, An overview of the present position Environment (Protection) Act, 1986- Application of the Act, Definitions, General powers of the Central Government including the powers to give directions; prevention and control of Environmental Pollution and procedure thereof; penalties and procedure and Miscellaneous.

Unit III — Environmental Protection and General Civil and Criminal Laws

General Law applicable to environmental violations: · A. Civil Law-The Constitutional Law of India-Preamble, Articles 21, 48-A and 51A(g), The Code of Civil Procedure- Section 9 and Order 39, Rule 1 to 5 Law relating to nuisance, trespass, negligence, strict liability reparion rights and prior appropriation. · B. Penal Law-The Indian Penal Code, 1860-Sections 268, 277, 278, 304A, 336, 338, 425-428 and 430-432, The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Sections 133 and 144; The Police Act-Sections 30, 32, 34 and 363 · C. Environmental Protection and Law of Torts – Tort of Nuisance: · Public and Private– Tort of Negligence – Tort of Trespass – Environmental Torts.

Unit IV — The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

A. Application of the Act, Definitions · B. Constitution of Central, State and joint boards; power and functions of the board Qualifications and disqualification of the members · C. Prevention and control of water pollution and procedure thereof · D. Powers to give direction; funds, accounts and audit · E. Penalties and procedure and Miscellaneous provisions The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 · A. Application of the Act, Definitions · B. Constitution of Central, State and joint boards power and functions of the board Qualifications and disqualification of the members · C. Prevention and control of water pollution and procedure thereof · D. Powers to give direction; funds, accounts and audit · E. Penalties and procedure and Miscellaneous provisions

Unit V — Hazardous Waste Management, Protection of Forest, Wild Life and

Biodiversity and Emerging Issues · A. Hazardous Waste Management and Handling Rules, 1989 · B. Municipal Solid Waste Management and Handling Rules 2000 · C. Biomedical Waste Management and Handling Rules 1998 · D. Noise Pollution Regulation and Control Rules 2000 Protection of Forest, Wild Life and Biodiversity · A. Importance of Forest and need for its Conservation, Indian Forest Act, 1927 and its Salient Features · B. Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and its Salient Features · C. Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and its salient features · D. Judicial Approach for Forest Conservation · E. The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 - Sanctuaries and National Parks, Licensing of Zoos and Parks, State Monopoly in the Sale of Wild Life and Wild Life Articles · F. Offences against Wild Life · G. Biodiversity Conservation - Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and its Salient Features Emerging Issues in Environmental Law · A. Environment Impact Assessment – Definition and Meaning, Types: · Mandatory and Discretionary · B. Global Warming and Climate Change – Nature and Causes, Legal · Framework: · C. International and National Responses · D. Natural Resources Accounting · E. National Green Tribunal Act 2010- An Appraisal.