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20 Essential Environmental Law Terms Every Law Student & UPSC Aspirant Must Know
- The Law Gurukul
- Jun 19, 2025
- 2 min read
Introduction
Environmental law has become one of the most dynamic legal fields, balancing development with ecological protection. For CLAT, UPSC, and judiciary aspirants, mastering these concepts is crucial for tackling contemporary challenges like climate change and pollution.
In Part 9 of our "Legal Lexicon" series, we decode 20 fundamental environmental law terms with definitions, landmark cases, and their practical applications in India's green jurisprudence.
1. Sustainable Development
Definition: Development meeting present needs without compromising future generations
Key Principles (Brundtland Report):
✔ Intergenerational equity
✔ Polluter pays principle
✔ Precautionary principle
Indian Application:
NGT's strict enforcement in industrial projects
SC's Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v Union of India judgment
2. Polluter Pays Principle
Definition: Pollution creators must bear remediation costs
Landmark Case:
Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action v Union of India (1996) (Chemical industries fined ₹37.385 crores for pollution)
Recent Example:
✔ Delhi government's ₹20,000 fine for burning waste
3. Public Trust Doctrine
Definition: State must protect natural resources for public benefit
Key Judgments:
MC Mehta v Kamal Nath (1997) - Protected Beas River
TN Godavarman Case - Forest conservation
4. EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)
Process:
Screening
Scoping
Public hearing
Monitoring
Controversy:2020 EIA draft notification criticized for reducing public participation
5. Absolute Liability (M.C. Mehta v UOI)
Stricter than Rylands v Fletcher:
✔ No exceptions
✔ Higher compensation
✔ Applies to hazardous industries
Bhopal Gas Tragedy compensation: $470 million
6-20: Key Environmental Law Concepts
Term | Definition | Legal Basis | Example/Case |
6. Carbon Credit | Tradable permit for 1-ton CO₂ emission | Kyoto Protocol | Indian companies selling credits |
7. CRZ Notification | Coastal regulation zone rules | CRZ 2019 | Mumbai coastal road project |
8. Wildlife Corridor | Protected animal migration paths | Wildlife Act | Elephant corridors in Kerala |
9. Fly Ash Utilization | Mandatory use of thermal plant waste | MoEFCC Notification | Road construction material |
10. Bio-remediation | Using organisms to clean pollution | NGT orders | Oil spill cleanup |
11. Green Tribunal (NGT) | Specialized environmental court | NGT Act 2010 | Banned diesel vehicles in Delhi |
12. Hazardous Waste Rules | Management of dangerous materials | HW Rules 2016 | Battery disposal guidelines |
13. Air Quality Index | Pollution measurement system | CPCB norms | Delhi's "Severe" AQI winters |
14. Groundwater Law | Regulation of water extraction | CGWA guidelines | Punjab's falling water table |
15. Forest Rights Act | Tribal land rights recognition | FRA 2006 | Odisha mining conflicts |
16. Noise Pollution Rules | Sound level regulations | Noise Rules 2000 | Loudspeaker time restrictions |
17. Plastic Ban | Prohibition on single-use plastics | PWM Rules 2022 | 19 items banned since 2022 |
18. Wetland Conservation | Protection of Ramsar sites | Wetland Rules 2017 | Dal Lake preservation |
19. Climate Justice | Equitable climate action | Paris Agreement | India's net-zero by 2070 goal |
20. Citizen Suit Provision | Public can file environmental cases | EPA Section 19 | PIL against industrial pollution |
Why These Terms Matter?
✅ Exam Relevance:
CLAT: 3-5 questions annually
UPSC: GS Paper III (Environment) + Essay
Judiciary: 10% weightage in state exams
✅ Career Opportunities:
✔ Environmental lawyer
✔ Policy analyst
✔ Sustainability consultant
Landmark Indian Cases
Vellore Citizens Case (1996) - Established sustainable development
Taj Trapezium Case (1996) - Protected monument from pollution
Great Indian Bustard Case (2021) - Renewable vs conservation balance
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