Environmental Law Definition

‘Environment’ is a very comprehensive term. It includes within its ambit a wide variety of phenomenon. It is a dynamic term that may be used to describe a limited area on one hand, and the entire planet on the other. The term Environment may be perceived in different connotations. There numerous definitions of the term as provided by different National and International legal instruments.
Generally speaking, Environment includes the external conditions, resources, stimuli etc. with which an organism interacts. The Preamble of the United Nations
Declaration on Human Environment, adopted in Stockholm in June 1972 states,
“Man is both creature and moulder of his environment, which gives him physical substance and affords him the opportunity for

Other methods for influencing human behavior are to a certain extent, voluntary or optional. Education, ethics, peer and family pressure: these all apply in various degrees. Law, on the other hand, cannot easily be avoided. It is axiomatic to the “rule of law” that law in a society applies equally to everyone at all times.

Environmental Law is a body of law, which is a system of complex and interlocking statutes, common law, treaties, conventions, regulations and policies which seek to protect the natural environment which may be affected, impacted or endangered by human activities. Some environmental laws regulate the quantity and nature of impacts of human activities: for example, setting allowable levels of pollution or requiring permits for potentially harmful activities. Other environmental laws are preventive in nature and seek to assess the possible impacts before the human activities can occur.
Environmental law as a distinct system arose in the 1960s in the major industrial economies. It is fast becoming an important and specialized branch of law. Many of its doctrines are gradually becoming clear. The questions addressed to by environmental law are substantive in nature, whereas, the remedies of these

Section 268 covers public nuisance. Sections 269 and 272 deal with adulteration of food or drink for sale and adulteration of drugs respectively. Section 277 lays down that, whoever, voluntarily corrupts or fouls the water of any public spring or reservoir, so as to render it less fit for the purpose for which it is ordinarily used shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 months, or with a fine which may extend to Rs.500, or with both. Section 278 lays down that whoever voluntarily vitiates the atmosphere so as to make it noxious to the health of persons in dwelling or carrying on business in the neighbourhood or passing along a public way shall be punished with fine which may extent to Rs.500. Sections 284,285 and 286 deal with negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substances, combustible matter and explosive substances. Sections 428 and 429 cover mischief to