Know your Rights this World Environmental Day- 2017

5th June, every year is celebrated as “ World Environment Day” to urge people around the world to protect the planet, guard the trees and preserve the ecology.

However, this day is just not to read about the how air pollution has become the greatest environmental concern or how global warming is smothering the habitat. This day is about taking actions and creating a real difference.

This day was first celebrated in 1974 when the primary target was to save the planet from global warming, eradicate wildlife crime and attain sustainable consumption of resources.

This year's theme is “ connecting people with nature” which implores people to spend time with nature and appreciate its beauty and importance.

Do people have right to clean air, safe drinking water, and a healthy environment?

Yes. These rights can be collectively called as right to clean environment, which is also a part of fundamental rights. For a person to live a dignified and healthy life it is imperative to have access to clean environment.

Decades ago it was a bizarre concept but the recent developments in environmental jurisprudence have made this a reality. So if somebody is polluting the environment he or she is not just violating the Environmental Protection Act but also rights of others.

The right to clean environment is not purely an individual right, instead, it can be exercised collectively which belongs equally to each group including future generations and indigenous people whose livelihood depends upon the environment for their existence.

In a plethora of cases, the government has taken stringent actions to control pollution of environment. Like for instance in the matter of Rural litigation and entitlement Kendera v. State of U.P. Limestone mining which denuded Mussoorie hills of trees and forests cover and accentuated soil erosion resulting in blockage of underground water channels were banned.

In Tarun Bharat Singh v. The Union of India all 400 marble mines were asked to shut down as they were causing a threat to wildlife around Sariska Tiger Reserve.

In this global war, against environmental hazards “ right to clean environment” acts a weapon in the armory to ensure environmental degradation is minimized and it is only feasible through collective effort.