B.A., LL.B & B.B.A., LL.

B
2015-2020 Batch
Course Outline
Core Learning Outcomes

Subject Name Environmental Law

Subject Credit 4

Subject Code 75 CLAW 225

Various anthropogenic activities have resulted in the deterioration of
environment where we live in. It paused severe challenges ranging from
availability of potable drinking water to climate change. Various
international fora as well as local concerns have necessitated a strong
regulatory regime over natural resources and its sustainable use. In line of
Summary/ Overview
this, many international principles and domestic legislations were
formulated. This course is designed to enhance the learning spirit on
principles of environmental law as well as international instruments
governing them and major domestic legislations related to the environment
protection and the approach of the judiciary towards it.

 To Understand the challenges of environmental deterioration and

the need for a strengthened legal framework to address the issue
 To Understand General Principles of International
Environmental Law
 To Familiarize with International Instruments on Environment
Aims
Protection and its enforcement
 To study the Legal and Policy Framework on Environment in
India
 To examine the Judicial Response to Environment Protection in
India

Jithin V.J. Abhishek Sarma

Assistant Professor Assistant Professor
Office: OF-44 Office: OF-42
4th Floor, Technical Block
Instructors
School of Law, Alliance University
Phone No: 08046199179 Phone No: 08046199178
E-mail: jithin.vj@alliance.edu.in E-mail: abhishek.sarma@alliance.edu.in

Office Hours 00:00-00:00 Hrs. (Days) 00:00-00:00 Hrs (Days)

Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
Sl.
On completion of this Course you To achieve the learning outcome you must
No.
should be able to: demonstrate the ability to:
1 Identify key environmental issues and Describe the key environmental issues and discuss
 need for proper regulatory regime
Know the major principles and
policies associated with environment
2
and the constitutional and legal
framework on environment protection
Able to explain and analyse the scope
3 of multilateral environmental
agreements.
the lacunas in current practice to handle it
Express the legal and policy framework on
environment protection in class room discussion
and in various components of During Semester
Assessment.
Discuss about various MEAs related to the
environment protection in various components of
During Semester Assessment.

The teaching methods will consist of formal lectures, case laws analysis,
presentations and discussions. Project topics and its presentation will be
Approach to Learning
assigned to students for promoting better understanding of legal
framework of environment protection.
Major assessment strategy of this course is formative assessment. With
this strategy both students as well as teacher gets feedback at different
stage of learning. This includes discussions, class tests, assignments and
Assessment Strategy
presentations. This formative approach provides ambient opportunities to
improve the teaching-learning process in the learning room. Criterion
based summative assessment will be done at the end of the semester.

Duration and
Assessment Weight
No Description of Assessment Method Marks of
Method %
Examination
1 hour 30 minutes
1 DSA Written examination 15
and 50 Marks
Throughout the
2 AT Class attendance 5
course
Case study/ Assignments, Project, Presentation
on various topics, Viva- voce/ Quiz,
Participation in class activities
Throughout the
CS / PR / course
3 *All assignments/projects or any submission 30
OR / CP
should be students' original work as
plagiarism is a serious academic misconduct.
** Mode of citation will be in OSCOLA
format.
Semester
Written 3 hours and 100
4 End 50
Examination
Examination marks

Outline Teaching Schedule

Unit
Topic No. of Sessions
Number
1. The Concept of Environment:

1.1. Concept of Environment and Ecosystem

1.1.2. Meaning, Components and Services
1.1.3. Environment and Livelihood
1.2. Pollution: Meaning, Kinds and Effect 04
1.3. Environment, Population and Development : Conflicting
Dimensions
 1.4. Major Environmental Movements

2. Environmental Law and Policy: International Developments

2.1. Evolution of International Environmental Law

2.1.1. Intra-generational and Intergenerational Equity
2.1.2. Development through Treaties/ Multilateral
Environmental Agreements (MEA)/ Cases
2.2. United Nations Conference on Human Environment/
Stockholm Declaration, 1972.
2.3. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
2.4. United Nations Conference on Environment and
II
Development /Rio Summit, 1992
2.5. Sustainable Development 09
2.6. Ozone Depletion, Climate Change and Biodiversity:
Response of International Environmental Law
2.6.1. Conventions and Protocols
2.6.2. Recent Developments
2.7. International Environmental Crime
2.8. Control on Marine Pollution
2.9. Riparian Rights and Prior-Appropriation Water Rights

3. Environmental Law and Policy in India: The Background

3.1. Legal Control: Historical Perspectives

3.1.1. Indian Tradition
3.1.2. Environmental Regulations under Colonial Rule
3.1.3. Common Law aspects of Environment Protection
3.1.3.1. Environment Protection and Law of Tort
3.1.3.2. Tort of Nuisance, Negligence and Trespass
3.1.3.3. Strict Liability
3.1.4. Provisions under Indian Penal Code and Code of
III
Criminal Procedure
3.2. Constitution and Environment 09
3.2.1. Constitutional Provisions on Environment Protection
3.2.2. Right to Environment : Article 21 and New
Dimensions
3.2.3. Environmentalism in Directive Principles and
Fundamental Duties.
3.2.4. Dynamics of Federal Features on Environment and
Natural Resources

4. Indian Judiciary and Sustainable Development

4.1. Role of Judiciary in Environmental Protection and

Sustainable Development
IV 4.2. Public Interest Litigation and Environment Protection
4.3. Evolving of New Principles 06
4.3.1. Polluter pays principle
4.3.2. Precautionary principle
4.3.3. Public trust doctrine
 4.3.4. Absolute Liability
4.4. National Green Tribunal
4.4.1. Composition, Powers and Functions

5. Legal Framework on Forests, Wildlife and Biodiversity

5.1. Forests, Wildlife and Biodiversity : Significance

5.2. Framework, Relevance and Limitations of Statues:
5.2.1. Indian Forest Act, 1927
5.2.2. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
5.2.3. Forest Conservation Act, 1980 08
5.2.4. Biological Diversity Act, 2002
V
5.2.5. Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest
Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
5.6. Strategies for Species Conservation : Project Tiger, Project
Elephant
5.7 Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals
5.8. Control of Experimentation on Animals
5.9. Wetland Conservation

6. Prevention and Control of Pollution

6.1. Water and Air Pollution : Modalities of Control

6.1.1. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 04
VI 1974
6.1.2. Groundwater Conservation in India
6.1.3 The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1981

7. EPA and New Environmental Regime in India

7.1. Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986

7.1.1. Main Aims and Objectives of the Act,
7.1.2. Importance of Section 3 and 5 of EPA
7.1.3. Violation and Penalties under the Act
7.2.Rules/Notifications under EPA
7.2.1. Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and 08
Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016
7.2.2. Municipal Solid Waste Management and Handling
Rules, 2000
VII
7.2.3. Biomedical Waste Management and Handling Rules,
2016
7.2.4. Noise Pollution Regulation and Control Rules, 2000
7.3. Environment Impact Assessment
7.4. Public Participation in Environmental Decision Making
7.4. Environmental Audit
7.5. ECO-Mark
7.6. Coastal Regulation Zone
7.7. Genetic Engineering
7.8. Role of NGOs in Environment Protection
7.9. Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
 Consultation/Presentation/Discussion 04
52
Total Sessions

Recommended Resources*

Compulsory Readings :
1. Daniel Bodanski, Brunnee Jutta and Ellen Hey, Handbook of International Environmental
Law (OUP 2008)
2. Elizabeth Fisher, Bettina Lange and Eloise Scotford, Environmental Law: Text, Cases and
Materials (OUP 2013)
3. Geetanjoy Sahu, Environmental Jurisprudence and the Supreme Court (Orient Blackswan
2014)
4. Nawneet Vibhaw, Environmental Law: An Introduction (1st edn, Lexis Nexis 2016)
5. P. Leelakrishnan, Environmental Law in India (4th edn, Lexis Nexis 2016)
6. P.B Sahasranaman., Handbook of Environmental Law (2nd edn, OUP 2012)
7. Paramjit Jaswal and Nishitha Jaswal, Environmental Law (4th edn, Allahabad Law Agency
2015)
8. Philippe Sands P and Jacquiline Peel, Principles of International Environmental Law (3rd
edn, CUP 2012)
9. S. Santhakumar, Introduction to Environmental Law (2nd edn, Lexis Nexis Butterworths
Wadhwa 2008)
10. Shyam Divan and Armin Rosencranz, Environmental Law and Policy in India: Cases,
Materials, and Statutes (2nd edn, OUP 2005)
11. T.S Doabia, Environmental and Pollution Laws in India (2 Volumes, Lexis Nexis 2010)

Suggested Readings:

1. Daniel Bodansky, The Art and Craft of International Environmental Law (Harvard
University Press 2011)
2. Indrajit Dube, Environmental Jurisprudence : Polluters Liability (Lexis Nexis 2007)
3. Mahesh Rangarajan, Environmental Issues in India: A Reader (Pearson 2006)
4. O.V. Nandimath, Environmental Decision Making in India (OUP 2008)
5. P. Leelakrishnan, Environmental Law Case Book (2nd edn, Lexis Nexis 2010)
6. S. Bhatt, International Environmental Law (APH Publishing Corporation 2013)
7. Sanjay Upadhayay and Videh Upadhayay, Hand Book on Environmental Law- Forest
Laws, Wildlife Laws and the Environment (1st edn, Butterworth’s LexisNexis 2008)

* Major reference materials are enlisted. Materials for further reading will be circulated during the
course of lecture.

Bare Acts Compendium

1. Environment and Pollution Laws (Professional Book Publishers 2018)

2. Forest and Wildlife Laws (Professional Book Publishers 2018)

Relevant Websites
http://envis.nic.in/
http://www.environmentandsociety.org/
http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/
http://www.moef.nic.in/
https://www.epw.in/
https://www.jstor.org/
http://www.lead-journal.org/
https://www.manupatrafast.com/
https://www.unenvironment.org/

Relevant Case Laws :

(The list of cases are indicative and not exhaustive)

 A.B.S.K. Sangh v. Union of India, AIR 1981 SC 298

 A.P. Pollution Control Board v. M.V. Nayudu, AIR 1999 SC 812
 Animal and Environmental Legal defence Fund v U.O.I AIR 1997 SC 1071
 Bangalore Medical Trust v B.S. Muddappa (1991) 4 SCC 54
 BanwasiSewa Ashram v State of UP AIR 1987 SC 374
 Centre for Environmental Law, WWF vs. Union of India, (AIR 1999 SC 354)
 Church of God (Full Gospell) in India v. K.K.R. Majestic Colony Welfare Association,
(2000) 7 SCC 282
 Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action v. Union of India, AIR 1996 SC 1446
 M.C. Mehta v Kamalnath (Public Trust Doctrine Case) (1997) 1 SCC 388
 M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath, (Polluter Pays Principle Case) AIR 2000 SC 1997
 M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Ganga Pollution Case) AIR 1988 SC 1115
 M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Kanpur Tannery Case) AIR 1988 SC 1037
 M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, (Taj Trapezium Case) AIR 1997 SC 734
 M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, AIR 2002 SC 1696
 M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India, (Shriram Food and Fertilizer/Oleum Gas Leakage Case) 1987
AIR 1086).
 Municipal Council, Ratlam v. Vardhichand, AIR 1980 SC 1622
 Narmada Bachao Andolen v. Union of India, AIR 2000 SC 3751
 Noise Pollution, In re (2005) 5 SCC 733
 Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra v State of UP AIR 1985 SC 652
 Subhash Kumar vs. State of Bihar (AIR 1991 SC 420)
 T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs. Union of India
 Vellore Citizen Welfare Forum v. Union of India, (Precautionary Principle Case) AIR 1996
SC 2715
 Corfu Channels Case (United Kingdom v. Albania) (U.K. v. Alb.), 1949 I.C.J. 4
 Gabcikovo Nagymaros Case (Hungary/Slovakya) 1997 I.C.J. 7
 Lac Lanoux Case (Spain v. France (1957) 12 R.I.A.A. 281
 Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, Advisory Opinion, I.CJ. Reports 1996
 Rylands v. Fletcher, (1868) LR 3 HL 330
 Trial Smelter Case ( United States v. Canada) 3 R.I.A.A. 1905 (1941)