Page 1 - LN- Std 8 - civics - Chap 7 - Subtopic - 3

SAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
VIRTUAL LEARNING MODULE 29 (10.3), 2020 – 21
Subject – Civics
Chapter – 10: LAW AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Class – VIII
Sub topic 3: New laws to Protect the Environment

Notes

NOTES

Pages: 128, 129, 130

New laws to Protect the Environment

 In 1984 there were very few laws protecting the environment in India and
there was hardly any enforcement of these laws.
 The environment was treated as a free entity and any identity could pollute
the air and water.
 The environment was polluted and health of people disregarded.
 The Bhopal gas tragedy brought the issue of environment of the tone front.
 People who were not associated with the factory were also affected by the
poisonous gases.
 In response to the pressure from environmental activists, the Indian
government introduced new laws on the environment.
 The polluter has to be held responsible for the damage done to environment.
 The environment is something that people for generations will share and it
cannot be destroyed by industrial pollution.
 The courts gave a number of judgements upholding the right to a healthy
environment as an input and part of right to life.
 In the case of Subhash Kumar vs State of Bihar (1991) the Supreme Court
held that the Right to Life is a Fundamental Right under Article 21 of the
Constitution.
 Under this right people must enjoy pollution free water and air.
 It is the responsibility of the government to check pollution, clean river and
introduce heavy fines for those who pollute.

Environment as a Public Facility-:
 Today courts have come out heavily or environmental issues but has affected
people’s life adversely.
 E.g. - The courts directed industries in residential areas in Delhi to close down
or shift out of the city.
 Several of these industries were polluting the neighbourhood and discharge
from these industries were polluting the river Yamuna