NEHU2016/03-P

 NEHU2016/03-P

NEHU NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETION, 2016

SAVE SOUTH WEST (SSW) VS SOMAVISHU AND OTHERS

IN THE HON’BLE SUPREME COURT

ARTICLE 32(1) & (2) O THE CONSTITUITON

WRIT PETITION NO!""!!/2016

SAVE SOUTH WEST (SSW)""""""""""""""""""!!PROSECUTION

VS

SOMAVISHU AND OTHERS""""""""""""""""!!!!!!!!!!!!DEENDANT

NEHU NATIONAL MOOT

MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2016

MEMORIAL ON BEHAL O THE PROSECUTION

COUNSEL APPEARIN#
APPEARIN# ON BEHAL O PROSECUTION

1
 NEHU2016/03-P

TABLE O CONTENTS$

NAME$ PA#E NO$

1! INDE
INDE%
% O AUTHO
UTHORI RIT
T 3-5
I! List of abbreviations. 3
II! List of statutes. 4
III! Lists of books and arti!es referred 4
IV!
IV! Lists of internet sites 4-5

2! STATEMENT
STA EMENT O
O 'URISD
'URISDICT
ICTION
ION 6
3! STA
STATEMENT
EMENT O
O A
ACTS
CTS "-10
! ISSU
ISSUES
ES INV
INVOL
OLV
VED 11
! SUMMA
SUMMAR R O AR#U
AR#UME
MENT NTS
S 12
6! BOD
BO D O AR#UM
R#UMEN
ENTS
TS!! 13-3"
i. #ssue 1 13 -1"
ii. #ssue 2 1$-2$
iii. #ssue 3 2%-3"
*! PRAER  3$

2
 NEHU2016/03-P

INDE% O AUTHORIT

I !LIST O ABBREVIATIONS

P#L Pub!i #nterest Liti&ation

 N'( Non 'overn)ent or&anisation
*.#.+ *!! #ndia +e,orter  
H.P. Hi)aa!
Hi)aa ! Prades
Prade s
  u,re)e ourt ases
 e . etion
E+ E#* +esoure and +es,onse entre
P us,ended Parti!e atter  
+  P +es,irab!e us,ended Parti!e atter  
#L+ #ndian La +e,orts
*.P *ndra Prades
*rt. *rti!e
.  u,re)e ourt
N' o),ressed Natura! 'as
EP* Environ)enta! Protetion *t
P  tate Po!!ution ontro! oard
 P  entra! Po!!ution ontro! oard
rP ode of ri)ina! Proedure
  e
 er era!a
UP Uttar Prades

II! LIST O STATUTES!

• onstitution of #ndia
• Environ)enta! Protetion *t 7e #ndian 8orest *t 1%2"
• 7e 8orest onservation *t 1%$0
• 7e edu!ed 7ribes
7ribes and oter 7raditiona!
7raditiona! 8orest 9e!!ers *t 2006
• 7e ines and inera!s *t 1%5"
• 7e 8atories *t 1%4$
• ode of ri)ina! Proedure 1%"3
• #ndian Pena! ode 1$60
• :ater
:a ter Prevention *nd ontro! (f Po!!ution *t 1%"4

3
 NEHU2016/03-P

• toko!) 9e!aration 1%"2

III! LISTS O BOO+S AND ARTICLES

ARTICLES REERRED

• erria) :ebster 9itionar;

• tate of te Environ)ent +e,ort < 2003 <inin& and =uarr;in&
• urve; of Environ)enta! > oio-Eono)i #),ats of #nteri) an on inin& in 'oa <
E+ 'oa #ndia
• #ndian tandard 'uide for 7reat)ent and 9is,osa! of tee! P!ant Eff!uents  eond
+e,rint *U'U7 1%%4
• #ndustria! Po!!ution < 7e :ater Prevention and ontro! of Po!!ution *t 1%"4
*s,;?iation of )a@or rivers.
• onstitution of #ndia < A.N.
A.N. uk!a
• onstitution of #ndia < .P. Bain
• La of 7orts < +.. an&ia
• Environ)enta! La < 9r. ukanta . Nanda
• Environ)enta! La - 9r. . . 7ri,ati
7ri,ati
• Environ)enta! La - 9r. .+. ;neni
• (?ford ditionar;

IV! LIST O INTERENT SITES

• .environ)enta!nationa!&eo&ra,i.o).
• .i,.
• .iki,esdia.or&.
• .eartobservator;.nasa.&ov.
• .;ourarti!e!ibrar;.o)
• .freeditionar;.o)
• .,!annin&o))ission.ni.in
• .!e&a!serviesindia.o).

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STATEMENT O 'URISDICTION$
7e HonCb!e u,re)e ourt of o)avisu as te @urisdition to entertain te P#L fi!ed b; te
ave out :est N'( under *rti!e
*rti!e 321 > 2 of te onstitution.
o nstitution.

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 NEHU2016/03-P

STATEMENT
STATEMENT O ACTS$

1! T
T .
.
  S45
S457
78
8!!
o)avisu is a ountr; of )an; re!i&ions and etniit; i as te sared istor;
of !ivin& to&eter. #t as 25 states and % union &overned territories and ea state
 boundar; is &enera!!; )ade eiter on te basis of re&iona! !an&ua&e or re&iona! etniit;.
2! T S89
S89 WW7
799 R
R  S45
S457
78!
8!
7at te out :est
:est +e&ion of o)avisu is te re&ion of ut)ost !an&ua&e and
etnia! diversit; and it onsists of % states. 7is re&ion of o)avisu is knon for its
seni natura! beaut; diversified u!tures and diversified uisine. 7is re&ion is )ost!;
o),rised of )an; o))unities of triba! ,o,u!ations !ivin& tere fro) ti)es
i))e)oria!. 7is o!e re&ion is o),rised of i!!s forests and )an; fast f!oin&
rivers. 7ou& te area of tis re&ion o),rised of o n!; 5D of te tota! &eo&ra,ia! area
of o)avisu but it onsists of )ore tan 30D
30 D of its forest over.
3! T
T R
R

  S8
S85
544!!
 ua)o as situated on te i& a!titudes in te entra! ,art of te uta!ia. #t is a!so
te ori&in ,oint of tree i),ortant rivers of te state uta!ia one is inasi seond is
+ikan& and tird is Puru&. 7ese rivers e)anates fro) te !ake u!ao) in tree different
diretions. Lake u!ao) as situated on te i&est a!titudes of te soutest re&ion.
7ou& tis !ake as ,art of te distrit ua)o but it re)ained uninabitab!e in inter
due to its &eo&ra,ia! !oation. *!)ost a!! te ities of te state uta!ia ere situated on
one or oter of tese tree rivers. ua)o as situated on te river inasi and tis river is
te i),ortant soure of ater for ua)o it;.
 it;.
! S854
S854  5:
5: 97 P;8
P;8<59
<59
!!
. 7e ,eo,!e of ua)o and uta!ia as orsi,,ed te Lake u!ao) and te tree
rivers e)anatin& fro) it sine ti)e i))e)oria! and te !ake and tese rivers are
re!i&ious!; ver; i),ortant to te ,eo,!e !ivin& tere. #n fat an annua! ,i!&ri)a&e is )ade
 b; te !oa! ,o,u!ation to Lake u!ao) on a da; tat &enera!!; fa!!s in a; and a!)ost
one tent of te ,o,u!ation
,o,u !ation of uta!ia visit u!ao) on tis aus,iious da;. 7is da; is
a!a;s de!ared a o!ida; b;
b ; te tate 'overn)ent. 7e !ake u!ao) and
an d tese rivers
for) an indis,ensib!e ,art of te re!i&ion of ,eo, !e of uta!ia and ua)o.
*round $0D of te ,eo,!e
,eo, !e of ua)o !ive in te distrit eadFuarter of ua)o it;
i is te first u)an abitation in te ourse
o urse of river inasi. 7e ,eo,!e of ua)o is
ver; )u de,endent on river inasi for ater in da; to da; ,ur,oses and te river )eans

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 NEHU2016/03-P

a !ot to te) bot in te),ora! and re!i&ious senses. (n!; 30D ,o,u!ation o f ua)o it;
as ta, ater onnetivit; and rest "0D ,o,u!ation diret!; use te ater of river inasi
for teir da; to da; ,ur,oses.
*!so te fis G of river inasi as a!so been te basi soure of ,rotein and oter
i),ortant nutrients of te ,o,u!ation
,o ,u!ation of ua)o it;. 8is GC are te s,eifiit; of on!;
te tree rivers of te re&ion tat e)anate
e )anate fro) Lake u!ao). E?e,t te ater of rivers
inasi +ikan& and Puru& no oter rivers of te re&ion ave fis GC in su abundant
Fuantit;. 8is
8is IGJ serves as one of te sta,!es of te ,eo,!e of ua)o.
u a)o.
7e !itera; rate of ,eo,!e of ua)o it; is on!; 25D.
! #.4
#.499 ;<5
;<5  =>55
=>559
9 5:
5: S9<
S9< :879.
:879.? ?
#n 1%$0 te entra! &overn)ent of o)avisu onduted a &eo!o&ia! surve; in
te o!e of te ountr; to assess te ,resene of natura! resoures. 7is surve; indiated
te ,resene of iron and oter va!uab!e )inera!s in te sout est re&ion of te ountr;.
#n te subseFuent ;ears te ,!annin& as been )ade to e?trat
e? trat tese natura! resoures. *s
 ,er tis ,!an te e?avation as to start fro) a distrit ua)o in te state
state uta!ia and
ten subseFuent!; it as to be e?,anded
e?, anded in oter distrits and states of tis re&ion. 7is
 ,!an as )ade b; te o))ittee onstituted b; te entra! 'overn)ent of o)avisu
and it as onsisted of e)inent en&ineers environ)enta!ist and oter notab!e
 ,ersona!ities of te re&ion. 7is ,!an as a!so indiated
indiated te ,robab!e environ)enta!
onseFuenes and su&&ested tat environ)enta! effets of te e?avation in ua)o
sou!d be a,,raised before undertakin& an; e?,ansion of te e?avation ativities in te
re&ion. Hoever neiter
neiter tere as an; o))uniation of su to te ,eo,!e of ua)o
nor ere tere an; re,orts of su a,,raisa! an;ere.
Hoever aordin& to te above )entioned ,!an te entra! &overn)ent of
o)avisu started e?avation of tese )inera! resoures in distrit ua)o in 1%%0.
Lar&e sates of forest !ands ere !eared to )ake tis e? avation ,ossib!e. #n addition
to te above )entioned ,!an an iron and stee! industr; as a!so estab!ised in 1%%" to
)ake stee! and oter re!ated )ateria!s fro) te e?trated iron ores. 7e !ar&e unk of
ater of te river inasi near its ori&in ,oint as b een diverted to fu!fi! te de)ands of
te ater for tis industr;.
6! A9. 9 >;9
>;9 
 =>559
=>559 5>997
5>997 5:
5: 795@<749
795@<749  79<
79< 5: .
.
:879.?!

7
 NEHU2016/03-P

7e &overn)ent as set u, a ater ,urifiation ,!ant to treat te used ater of stee!
industr; tat never orked ,ro,er!;. 7e !oa! nes ,a,ers ave re,orted )an; instanes
en te untreated ater fro) te stee! industr; ad been a!!oed to &o into river inasi.
7e &overn)ent autorities re!ated to te stee! industr; ave so)eti)es a!so ae,ted
tis fat and ,!eaded so)e tenia!
tenia ! reasons for te instanes. 7e nearb; forest areas
ave a!so been !eared to du), oter &arba&e resu!tin& fro) tis industr;.
8ro) 1%%$ to 2015 tere are a!)ost 50 su instanes ere fou! ater fro) te iron
industr; &ot )er&ed in river inasi. (n su oasions te ater of river inasi turned
fu!! of dead aFuati reatures its o!our  an&ed and it bea)e fu!! of bad odour. 9urin&
tese da;s te )ost of te ,eo,!e of ua)o it; ave to de,end on te ater fro) so)e
natura! s,rin&s or natura! !akes tat are !oated Fuite far aa; fro) te it; for teir basi
ater needs.
7ere as a!so been te inrease in te nu)ber of ater borne diseases in ua)o
it; and ad@oinin& areas and fro) 2000 to 2015 tere as been 20000 re,orted ases of
su diseases on!; in ua)o it; and a!)ost 1000 deats ave a!so been re,orted durin&
su ,eriod fro) tese diseases.
7is ,eriod as a!so itnessed substantia! fa!! in te nu)ber of fis G in river inasi
and b; 2015 tese fises ave on!; been in vo&ue for teir sant ,resene in inasi. 7is
as a!so aused &reat defiienies in ,rotein and oter nutritiona! intake of te ,o,u!ation
of ua)o it; and resu!ted in )assive )a!nutrition. *s
*s ,er te ,ub!ised re,orts in nes
 ,a,er tat is based on te stud; of :or!d
:or!d Environ)enta! 8oru) a
a re,uted environ)enta!
 N'( te basi reason for tese diseases is )i?in&
)i?in& of untreated ater of iron industr;
into river inasi. 7is stud; as a!so ,ointed out tat te re!eased ater fro) ater
 ,urifiation ,!ant !aks in essentia! o),onent of )inera! KC of ori&ina! ater of river
inasi tat is te s,eifiit; of te rivers ori&inatin& fro) Lake u!ao). #t as indiated
tat tis )a; be te one of te reasons for te e?tintion of 8is GC fro) river inasi.
7e ater of oter natura! !akes and strea)s situated in oter ,arts of distrit ua)o
as a!so started to an&e its o!our and taste fro) 2010 onards and so)e of tese !akes
and s,rin&s ave a!so turned barren b; 2014. 7is o!e situation as reated a &reat
e?istentia! treat for te ,eo,!e of ua)o.
*! #
#..4
499 79;
79;7!
7!
7e entra! &overn)ent of o)avisu it te e!, of state &overn)ent of uta!ia as
o)e it te idea of su,,!;in& ta, ater to ea and ever; ouseo!d of ua)o in

8
 NEHU2016/03-P

9ee)ber 2014 and tis as to be o),!eted b; end of 201". ut no oter ,!an as been
)ade to restore te ,ristine natura! ondition of river inasi and ad@oinin& areas.
! S9;7
S9;7 B? S5
S5 S89
S89 W
W79
79 5 L>5<
L>5< N#O
N#O
7akin&
7akin& in te onern of te !oa! ,eo,!e and teir ,!i&t
, !i&t a !oa! N'( na)ed ave
out :estC
:estC :
: as or&anied a ,rotest )ar on 10t *u&ust 2015 in ua)o
distrit a&ainst te
te environ)enta! de&radation of te re&ion and sub)itted
sub)itted )e)orandu)
of de)ands to te 9istrit a&istrate. 7e )e)orandu) de)andedM
 Firstly
 Firstly tat a!! te e?avation orks sou!d i))ediate!; sto, in te distrit ua)o
and no furter e?,ansion of su ativities sou!d be onsidered. Secondly
Secondly tat te stee!
industr; estab!ised in distrit ua)o sou!d be !osed i))ediate!; and no ater
sou!d be taken fro) river inasi for an;
an ; oter ,ur,oses tan its traditiona! use. Thirdly
Thirdly
tat te entra! and state &overn)ents sou!d i))ediate!; ,re,are a ,!an for restoration
of natura! ,ristine beaut; of distrit ua)o. Fourthly
ua)o. Fourthly tat te &overn)ent sou!d ,a;
o),ensation to te ,eo,!es or teir nearest
nea rest re!atives o ave been affeted b; an ; of
te ater borne disease in ua)o
ua )o it; sine te estab!is)ent of stee! industr; and a!so
te &overn)ent sou!d ,rovide nutritiona! are free of ost to a!! te ,o,u!ation of
ua)o it; ti!! te abundane of fis GC in te river inasi is aieved.
Hoever te state and entra! &overn)ents i&norin& te ,!i&t of te ,eo,!e ave
turned a b!ind e;e to te) and denied tese de)ands and asserted tat it i!! not sto, an;
e?avation or stee! industr; ativities. #t as a!so taken no ste,s to address te ,rob!e)s
of te ,eo,!e of ua)o. 7e &overn)ents ave dis)issed te va!id onerns of te
 ,eo,!e and dis)issive!; &iven te reason tat te &!oba! !i)ate an&e and )ore tan
50D sorta&e in rainfa!! in tis re&ion durin& 2000 to 2014 )a; be te reason beind a!!
tese environ)enta! !osses.
ISSUES INVOLVED!

1! WHETHER THERE IS AN

AN LIN+A#E
LIN+A#E BETWEEN THE
THE ENVIRONMENTAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
LOSES AND DE#RADATION/POLLUTION AND THE E%CAVATION
ACTIVITIES AND ESTABLISHMENT O IRON AND STEEL INDUSTR

2! WHETHER THE STATE

STATE AND THE CENTRAL #OVERNMENT
#OVERNME NT SHOULD STOP
ALL E%CAVATION ACTIVITIES AND CLOSE THE STEEL INDUSTR AND BE

9
 NEHU2016/03-P

RESPONISBLE OR THE RESTORATION

RESTORATION O NATURAL
NATURAL PRISTINE BEAUT
O SUHAMO

3! WHETHER
WHETHER THE STATE
STATE AND
AND THE CENTRAL #OVERNMENT
#OVERNMENT SHOULD
SHOULD PA
PA
COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION AND REE NUTRITIONAL CARE OR THE PEOPLE IN
SUHAMO WHO WERE AECTED

10
 NEHU2016/03-P

SUMMAR O AR#UMENTS

1! WHETHER THERE IS AN

AN LIN+A#E
LIN+A#E BETWEEN THE
THE ENVIRONMENTAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
LOSES AND DE#RADATION/POLLUTION AND THE E%CAVATION
ACTIVITIES AND ESTABLISHMENT O IRON AND STEEL INDUSTR

A7! 7, 9. 7 <5 @9 9 .495< <77 5: :.5:59/;<<89
5: 9 =>559 5>997 5: 795@<749  . 5: 79< :879.? 57 >5 @
795@<7: 9.8 9 5>9 79 5: >78>7  9 598.  5>997 5: 9
>8..9 7>5.  9 ;.79 :5?!

2! WHETHER THE STATE

STATE AND THE CENTRAL #OVERNMENT
#OVERNME NT SHOULD STOP
ALL E%CAVATION ACTIVITIES AND CLOSE THE STEEL INDUSTR AND BE
RESPONISBLE OR THE RESTORATION
RESTORATION O NATURAL
NATURAL PRISTINE BEAUT
O SUHAMO

A7! 7, 9 7959 5: 9 >9.5< .49 78<: 79; 5<< =>559 5>997
5: ><7 9 79< :879.? 5: @ .7;7@< . 9 .79.59  598.5< ;.79
@589?  S854 57 9 :9  S959 457 9 @: . 94 9 @ .7;7@<
5: 5<7 9 8:5495< .97  9 ;;< .
. <59:! T #.49 7 5<7
.7;7@< @>587  9 <59  .495< ;.>;<7, :.9 <7<597 5:
9.595< >97! I9 7 5<7 .7;7@< . 97 @.5>  <5< :89? 5: >.59 5
;8@<> 875>!
3! WHETHER
WHETHER THE STATE
STATE AND
AND THE CENTRAL #OVERNMENT
#OVERNMENT SHOULD
SHOULD PA
PA
COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION AND REE NUTRITIONAL CARE OR THE PEOPLE IN
SUHAMO WHO WERE AECTED
A7 7, 9 7959 5: 9 >9.5< .49 78<: ;5? >4;759 5: .
89.95< >5. . 9 ;;<  S854  . 5>9: @>587 9 <777 >8..:
;7: 5 =7995< 9.59 9 9 ;;<  S854 5: 9 79;7 95 @? 9
#.49 . 78>9 5: 5:859! T #.49 7 5<7 <5@< 9 ;5?
>4;759 @>587 9 7 .7;7@< . 9 8:. 9.9 5: .495< ;.>;<7 5:
:8 9 97 @.5>  <5< :897
BOD O AR#UMENTS$

ISSUE 1$

11
 NEHU2016/03-P

1! WHETHER
WHETHER THERE
THERE IS AN
AN LIN+A#E
LIN+A#E BETWEEN
BETWEEN THE ENVIRONME
ENVIRONMENTA
NTAL
L
LOSES AND DE#RADATION/POLLUTION AND THE E%CAVATION
ACTIVITIES AND ESTABLISHMENT O IRON AND STEEL INDUSTR

Kes tere
tere is !inka&e beteen te environ)enta! !oses and de&radation/,o!!ution and te
e?avation ativities and estab!is)ent of iron and stee! industr; as beause
1!1 T 5>9 79 ;.:7
;.:7 959 7> 9 >;9  97 5>997 9.
9. 57 @
.495< <77!
7e out :est +e&ion o)avisu is o),rised of on!; 5D of its &eo&ra,ia! area
oever it onsists of )ore tan 30D of its forest over and is te o)e of )an;
o))unities of triba! ,o,u!ations !ivin& tere fro) ti)es i))e)oria!.
ine te ine,tion of e?avation ativities in ua)o in 1%%0 and te estab!is)ent of
iron and stee! industr; in 1%%"M-
a. Lar&e
Lar&e sates
sates of forest
forest !and ere
ere !eared
!eared to )ake
)ake e?avation
e?avation ativitie
ativitiess ,ossib!e
,ossib!e and a!so
a!so
nearb; forest areas of te stee! and iron industr; ave a!so been !eared to du), oter
&arba&e resu!tin& fro) te industr; !eadin& to deforestation.
 b. Lar&e unk of te ater of te river inasi i ori&inates fro) Lake u!ao) at
ua)o itse!f as been diverted to fu!fi! te needs for tese ativities and industr;.
. #n )an; re,orted
re,orted instan
instanes
es te untreated
untreated ater
ater fro)
fro) te stee!
stee! industr;
industr; as
as been a!!oed
a!!oed
to &o to river inasi fro) te ater ,urifiation ,!ant estab!ised to treat used ater fro)
te industr; i as never orked ,ro,er!;.
d. 8ro) 1%%$
1%%$ to 2015 tere
tere are a!)ost
a!)ost 50 su instan
instanes
es ere
ere fou! ater
ater fro) te
te iron
industr; &ot )er&ed in river inasi and on su oasions te ater of te river inasi
turned fu!! of dead aFuati reatures its o!our an&ed and it bea)e fu!! of bad odour.
e. 8ro) 2000
2000 to 2015
2015 tere ere
ere 20000
20000 re,orted
re,orted ases
ases of diseases
diseases on!; in ua)o it;
it; and
a!)ost 1000 deats fro) tose diseases. 7ere as been a!so inrease in te nu)ber of
ater borne diseases in ua)o it; and ad@oinin& areas.
f. 7is ,eriod
,eriod as a!so
a!so itnessed
itnessed substa
substantia!
ntia! fa!!
fa!! in te
te nu)ber of fis G in
in river inasi
inasi and
and
 b; 2015 tese fises ave on!; been in vo&ue for teir sant ,resene in inasi.
&. 7e ater of oter
oter natura!
natura! !akes and strea)s
strea)s situat
situated
ed in oter ,arts
,arts of distrit
distrit ua)o
ua)o
as a!so started to an&e its o!our and
an d taste fro) 2010 onards and so)e of tese
!akes and s,rin&s ave a!so turned barren b; 2014.
1!2! D.7959 <5:7 9 .495< :.5:59 5: .495< <777!

12
 NEHU2016/03-P

!earin& out !ar&e areas of forests itout re,airin& or restorin& it bak to its ori&ina!
state !eads to deforestation1. #n ua)o as evidened b; te fat seet te forests !eared
ere used for non forestr; ,ur,ose i.e. for e?avation ativities and for industr; ,ur,oses and
as not been re&enerated tus !eadin& to te onseFuenes of deforestation.
*ordin& to #nter&overn)enta! Pane! on !i)ate an&e deforestation ou!d aount for
u, to a tird of tota! antro,o&eni arbon dio?ide e)issions2 i is a &reenouse &as3
and is one of te )a@or ontributors of &!oba! ar)in& and &!oba! !i)ate an& e and a!so
affetin& te rainfa!! in a ,!ae or area4. (ne of te )ost serious onseFuenes of
deforestation is a !oss of biodiversit; and dis,!ae)ent of indi&enous  o))unities.
9eforestation !eads to stress of environ)enta! an&e i )a; )ake so)e s,eies )ore
suse,tib!e to te effet of insets ,o!!ution and diseases5. #n ua)o as evidened b; te
fat seet e see )ore tan 50D sorta&e in rainfa!! in te re&ion durin& 2000 -2014 after
te estab!is)ent of industr; as a onseFuene of deforestation resu!tin& in te
environ)enta! !osses and de&radation and ,o!!ution.
E.495< P<<89$ -
Environ)enta! Po!!ution is ,resene of substanes in@urious to te environ)ent i.e. in
!and ater air soi!
soi! et. and environ)enta!
env iron)enta! de&radation is ,o!!ution of te natura!
environ)ent.
*ordin& to Sec 2(c) of T E.49 (P.9>9) A>9, 1F6  Ienviron)enta!
 ,o!!utionJ )eans te ,resene in te environ)ent of an; environ)enta! ,o!!utant.
+e,roduin& Sec 2(b) of T E.49 (P.9>9) A>9, 1F6 G Ienviron)enta!
 ,o!!utantJ )eans an; so!id  !iFuid or &aseous substane ,resent in su onentration as )a;
 be or tend to be in@urious to te environ)ent

1 9eforestation - .environ)ent.natio
.environ)ent.nationa!&eo&ra,i.o).
na!&eo&ra,i.o).

2 9eforestation- .i,.

3 'reenouse &as < .i,.

4 7ro,ia! deforestation < !i)ate an&e < .eartobservator;.nasa.&ov.

5 9eforestation in #ndiaM auses and onseFuenes

onseFuenes of 9eforestation in #ndia -; Pu@a onda! < 
.;ourarti!e!ibrar;.o)

13
 NEHU2016/03-P

+e,roduin& Sec 2(a) of T E.49 (P.9>9) A>9, 1F6 G Ienviron)entJ

in!udes ater air and !and and te inter-re!ationsi, i e?ists a)on& and beteen ater
air and !and and u)an bein&s oter !ivin& reatures ,!ants )iro-or&anis) and ,ro,ert;
1!3 E=>559
E=>559 5>997 5: :879.5< 5>997
5>997 4;5>97 5: :.5:7/;<<897
:.5:7/;<<897 9
.49!
1!3!1! E?avation is te ,roess of e?avatin& i.e. unoverin& b; di&&in& aa; and
re)ovin& te eart tat overs it6 and )inin&" ,oses a serious environ)enta! treat. (ne of
te onseFuenes of )inin& in i& a!titudes is te erosion of e?,osed i!!sides )ine du),s
resu!tant si!tation of draina&es reeks and rivers i an si&nifiant!; i),at te
surroundin& areas !ike te &iant (k 7edi ine in Pa,ua Ne 'uinea. #n forest or i!d are as
)inin& an ause disturbane and destrution of eos;ste)s $ as evidened in ua)o.
1. 7e environ)ent
environ)enta!
a! i),at
i),at of e?avation
e?avation in!udes
in!udes erosio
erosion
n and onta)inati
onta)ination
on of soi!
soi!
surfae and &round ater b; e)ia! fro) )inin& ,roesses i an resu!t in
unnatura!!; i& onentration of so)e e)ia!s
e )ia!s su as arseni su!,uri aid over a
si&nifiant area of surfae of ater and in ater %. #ron )inin& re!ease ,o!!utants su as
!orides ferrous su!,ate ferri ;dro?ide su!,uri aid  ;dro&en su!,ide
sus,ended so!ids et10 into ater ausin& aid )ine draina&e11.8ro) tis it an be
estab!ised tat an&e in te odour
odo ur and taste in natura! !akes and strea)s in ua)o as
 been due to e)ia! onta)ination !eadin& to environ)enta! de&radation.
2. inin&
inin& auses destru
destrution
tion of abitat
abitat of aFuati
aFuati ani)a!s
ani)a!s b; diret
diret ,oisonin&
,oisonin& aused
aused b;
e?trated )ateria!12 in tis ase iron ore and s,eies e?tintion b; onta)ination of

6 E?avation - erria) :ebster

:ebster 9itionar;

7 ine < . tefreeditionar;.o)

8 tate of te Environ)ent +e,ort < 2003 <inin& and =uarr;in&

9 ibid

10 id

11 onseFuenes of )inin& < .iki,edia.or&

12 ibid

14
 NEHU2016/03-P

b ; e)ia! if tere is a i& !eve! of !oa! ende)is)13 as in te

&round and surfae ater b;
ase of 8is G i s!o!; &ot de,!eted
d e,!eted fro) ua)o.
3. inin&
inin& a!so auses
auses soi! erosion
erosion and destruti
destrution
on of i!!s and seni
seni natura!
natura! beaut;.
beaut;.
14
(n a surve; re,ort on )inin& and Fuarr;in& in te tate of arnataka  it as found tat
)inin& and Fuarr;in& ativities !ead to ,rob!e)s !ike !and de&radation de&radation of forests
and derease in biodiversit; surfae ater ,o!!ution air ,o!!ution due to P and +P and
environ)enta! de&radation. *!so in 'oa as b; surve; re,ort of E+15 ons!au&t of )inin& as
!eft rivers and a&riu!tura! !ands si!ted. #n te ase of Rural Litigation
Litigation and Entitlement
Entitlement
 Kendra, Dehradun
Dehradun v State Pradesh !  te ourt found tat )inin& o,erations ad
State of Uttar Pradesh
adverse eo!o&ia! effets. *!so in Kin"ri Devi v State of #imachal Pradesh $  tat )inin&
#imachal Pradesh
as ausin& &ross da)a&e to te i!!s as a!so te ,eo,!e !ivin& in te area.
a rea.
7us it an be said tat te e?avation or )inin& of ores in ua)o as aused
environ)enta! de&radation.
1!3!2 #ndustries are a serious treat to te environ)ent. #ndustries are one of te )a@or auses
of environ)enta! de&radation and ,o!!ution soi! !and et ,o!!ution1$.
,o !!ution and auses air ater soi!
#ndustria! disar&es auses aidit; in te ater and eff!uents or e)ia! aste auses
ater ,o!!ution. :aste ater fro) a stee! ,!ant an ause ater ,o!!ution on te fo!!oin&
as,etsM
a. us,ended
us,ended so!ids
so!ids sa!e
sa!e sand burden fines
fines f!; as
as oa!
oa! oke
oke et
et
 b. Heat oo!in& ater boi!er b!odon et
. (i! ro!!in&
ro!!in& )i!!
)i!! oi!s
oi!s !ubriants
!ubriants ;drau!i
;drau!i oi!s
oi!s Fuen oi!
oi! fue! oi! so!vent
so!vents
s tar ,it
,it
et
d. e)ia!s
e)ia!s ,ik!e
,ik!e !iFuor
!iFuor aid
aid s!ud&e
s!ud&e austi
austi as !i)e
!i)e brine !eaners
!eaners s,ent
a))oniaa! a))onia NH3O !iFuor to?i e)ia!s boi!er b!o-don et and

13 Ende)is) < (?ford 9itionar;

9itionar;

14 tate of te Environ)ent +e,ort < 2003 <inin& and =uarr;in&

15 urve; of Environ)enta! > oio-Eono)i #),ats of #nteri) an on inin& in 'oa < E+ 'oa
#ndia

16 1%$5 2  431O

17 *.#.+. 1%$$. H.P. 4.

18 Environ)enta! La < 9r. ukanta. . Nanda

15
 NEHU2016/03-P

e. anitar;
anitar; astes
astes do)est
do)estii sea&e
sea&e fro) an&e roo)s
roo)s toi!et
toi!ets
s anteen
anteen et.
et.
7e stee! ,!ant aste terefore )a; ause sedi)entation on te bed of te reeivin&
ater ourse or )a; be in@urious to aFuati !ife and render ater soures unfit for u)an
onsu),tion as e!! as for industria! use1%. #t is tus evident tat in ua)o ere untreated
ater fro) te industr; as re!eased in )an; instanes tat tere as been ater ,o!!ution20
and a!so onsiderab!e ar) to river inasi and in@ur; and deat of te aFuati ani)a!s tere
and tus environ)enta! de&radation in te re&ion.
re&ion. 7us takin& in te aterborne
aterborne diseases in
ua)o sine te estab!is)ent of te industr; it an be said tat te eff!uents re!eased b;
te industr; in river inasi are te ause of ea!t aards to u)an21 and te ause of te
diseases and deat in ua)o. Pressures due to disar&es of i&!; o),!e? astes fro)
industries ave resu!ted in onsiderab!e de&radation in te Fua!it; of ater soures.
#ndiation of tese deteriorations in!udes de,!etion of o? ;&en e?essive ,resene of
et.22
 ,ato&ens bad odour et.
#n te ase of %ellore
%ellore &iti'ens elfare *orum v Union of +ndia 2 te enor)ous disar&e
&i ti'ens elfare
of untreated eff!uents b; tanneries as dee)ed ,o!!ution and te u,re)e ourt e!d tat
su industries tou& are of vita! i),ortane to te ountr;Cs deve!o,)ent but te; annot
 be a!!oed to destro; te eo!o&; de&rade te environ)ent and ,ose a ea!t aard.
#n te ase -. Rama Krishan Rao v -he &hairman, #UD/ 0 1thers 2 te *ndra
Prades Hi& ourt said tat ater ,o!!utants are of to kinds i.e. onventiona! ater
 ,o!!utants and Non-onventiona! :ater
:ater ,o!!utants. e)ia! and industria!
industria! ,o!!utants i

19 #ndian tandard 'uide for 7reat)ent and 9is,osa! of tee! P!ant Eff!uents  eond +e,rint
*U'U7 1%%4

20 :ater ,o!!ution < 9r ..+ ;neni

21 #ndustria! Po!!ution < 7e :ater

:ater Prevention and ontro! of Po!!ution *t
*t 1%"4 *s,;?iation of
)a@or rivers

22 #ndia 2025 <Environ)ent < aeen in&a! - .,!annin&o))iss

.,!annin&o))ission.ni.in
ion.ni.in

23 1%%6 5  560O

24 #L+ 2001 2. *.P 1$6 9

16
 NEHU2016/03-P

are tron or diverted into ater anne!s

anne !s !ike rivers and !akes et ere e!d to be non-
onventiona! ater ,o!!utants.
1!! C8..9 S>5.  I:5
 7e rivers abar)ati ut!e@
u t!e@ Ka)una
Ka)una 'odaari 'o)ti a!i et. are urrent!; i&!;
 ,o!!uted beause of do)esti and industria! aste25. *!so )inin& ativities in arnataka26 and
'oa2" ave &reat!; ontributed to environ)enta! de&radation and ,o!!ution in tose ,!aes.
7us it an be said tat tere is !inka&e beteen te environ)enta!
en viron)enta! !oses and
de&radation/,o!!ution and te e?avation ativities and estab!is)ent of iron and stee!
industr; in ua)o and out :est +e&ion of o)avisu.

ISSUE 2

WHETHER THE STATE AND THE CENTRAL #OVERNMENT SHOULD STOP

ALL E%CAVATION ACTIVITIES AND CLOSE THE STEEL INDUSTR AND BE
RESPONISBLE OR THE RESTORATION O NATURAL PRISTINE BEAUT O
SUHAMO

2!1 T :9  9 9.4 7959 457 9 @:  94 9 @ .7;7@< .
9 .79.59$

7e ativities of e?avation and estab!is)ent of iron and stee! industr; as an initiative
of te entra! &overn)ent of o)avisu. 7is ,!an as )ade b; te i& !eve! o))ittee
onstituted b; te entra! 'overn)ent of o)avisu a nd it as onsisted of e)inent
en&ineers environ)enta!ist and oter notab!e ,ersona!ities of te re&ion.
*rt 12 &ives an e?tended si&nifiane to te ter) stateC. *rt 12 !arifies tat te ter) state
ourrin& in art 132 or an; oter ,rovision onernin& funda)enta! ri&ts as an e?, ansive
)eanin&.
+e,roduin& *rt 12M
*ordin& to *rt 12 te ter) tateC in!udesM
25 #ndia 2025 - Environ)ent < aeen in&a! - .,!annin&o))ission.ni.in
.,!annin&o))ission.ni.in

26 tate of te Environ)ent +e,ort < 2003 <inin& and =uarr;in&

27 urve; of Environ)enta! > oio-Eono)i #),ats of #nteri) an on inin& in 'oa < E+ 'oa
#ndia

17
 NEHU2016/03-P

1 7e 'overn)ent and te Par!ia)ent

2 7e 'overn)ent and te Le&is!ature
Le& is!ature of a state
3 *!! !oa! autorities >
4 (ter autorities itin te territor; of Nation or under te ontro! of te entra!
'overn)ent.
7e ations of an; of te bodies o),rised itin te ter) tateC as defined in *rt
*rt 12 an
 be a!!en&ed before te ourts under *rt 32 on te &round of vio!ation of funda)enta! ri&ts.
ri&ts.
*!so re,roduin& *rt 32
+e,roduin& *rti!e 32 of te onstitutionM
on stitutionM
+e)edies for enfore)ent of ri&ts onferred b; tis Part. - 1 7e ri&t to )ove te
u,re)e ourt b; a,,ro,riate ,roeedin&s for te enfore)ent of te ri&ts onferred b; tis
Part is &uaranteed.
..........................
...........................
4 7e ri&t &uaranteed b; tis arti!e sa!! not be sus,ended e?e,t as oterise
 ,rovided for b; tis onstitution.
*rti!e 32 is te ke; ,rovision as it &ives teet to te funda)enta! ri&ts and )akes it
 @ustifiab!e2$. 7e effet of te *rti!e is tat te funda)enta! ri&ts is avai!ab!e a&ainst te
'overn)ent and )akes it !iab!e for infrin&e)ent of te). ine due to tose e?avation
ativities a!on& it te estab!is)ent of iron and stee! industr; aused e ?istentia! treat to
te !ive!iood of te ,eo,!e of ua)o vio!atin& teir basi ri&t to !ife.
2!2 8:5495< .97  9 ;;<  S89 W79 R . <59:

7e out :est +e&ion of o)avisu as )ost!; o),rised of )an; o))unities
o ))unities of triba!
 ,o,u!ation ose funda)enta! ri&ts ere vio!ated b; te &overn)ent deisions.
*+7.
*+7. 14 statesM I7e states sa!! not den; to an; ,erson eFua!it; before te !a or te eFua!
eFu a!
 ,rotetion of te !as itin te territor; of #ndia.J
#ndia.J
7e ri&t to eFua!it; )a; a!so be infrin&ed b; &overn)ent deisions tat ave an i),at on te
environ)ent. *n arbitrar; ation )ust neessari!; invo!ve a ne&ation of eFua!it; tus urban

28 onstitution < .P. Bain

18
 NEHU2016/03-P

environ)enta! &rou,s often resort to *rt.14 to Fuas arbitrar; )unii,a! ,er)ission for
onstrution tat are ontrar; to deve!o,)ent re&u!ations.
 2!2!1! R9 9 < 5: <@.9? (A.9>< 21)
*rti!e 21 states tatMNo ,erson sa!! be de,rived of is !ife or ,ersona! !ibert; e?e,t
aordin& to ,roedure estab!ised b; !a.
#n aneka 'andi v Union of #ndia te u,re)e ourt i!e e!uidatin& on te i),ortane
of te ri&t to !ifeC under *rt. 21 e!d tat te ri&t to !ife is not onfined to )ere ani)a!
e?istene but e?tends to te ri&t to !ive it te basi u)an di&nit;. a&ati B.
2!2!1!1 V<59  9 .9 9 59. :: @? 9 ;;<
7e ri&t to ater is a basi need of te ,eo,!e and as been e!d as a funda)enta! ri&t
under *rti!e 21 of te onstitution.
5a6udu27 te u,re)e ourt e!d I:ater is te basi need for te
#n /PP&3 v 4.% 5a6udu
surviva! of u)an bein&s and is ,art of te ri&t to !ife and u)an ri&ts as ensrined in *rt 21
of te onstitution of #ndia.J
#n ua)o around
around "0D of te ,eo,!e use ater fro) river inasi for teir da; to da;
 ,ur,oses sine te; do not ave aess to ta, ater and te river inasi is ver; i),ortant to
te). Hoever for use industria! ,ur,oses a !ar&e unk of river inasi as diverted to fu!fi! its
de)ands. ine river inasi ori&inated fro) Lake u !ao) in ua)o an; ar)
a r) aused to river
inasi ou!d not on!; a),er te ri&ts of ,eo,!e of ua)o i is te first u)an
abitation in te ourse of te river but a!so oter u)an abitations in te ourse of te river.
*ess to drinkin&
drinkin& ater is te funda)enta!
funda)enta! ri&t of te
te ,eo,!e as it te
te basi need of ,eo,!e
and is ver; i),ortant for te surviva! of u)an bein&s. Hoever due to te diversion of ater of 
river inasi tere is sarit; of ater for te ,eo,!e of ua)o i is ; te ,eo,!e
, eo,!e ad to
de,end on te ater fro) natura! s,rin&s or natura! !akes !oated far aa; fro) te it;.
Hoever even so)e of tese !akes and s,rin&s ave turned barren b; 2014. 7us it an be said
tat tere as sarit; of drinkin& ater of te ,eo,!e. Hene e an sa; tat tere as vio!ation
of te funda)enta! ri&t of te ,eo,!e
,eo, !e to aess drinkin& ater. *nd
*nd it is a onseFuene resu!tant
of estab!is)ent of stee! and iron industr; b; te &o vern)ent.

29  2001 2  62O

19
 NEHU2016/03-P

Not on!; tat due to re!ease of eff!uents

eff!uents fro)
fro) te industr; and untreated used ater into
into river
inasi in )an; instanes tere as been ater ,o!!ution i as )ade te ater inon su)ab!e
and onta)inated it.
#n Ra8iv Ran8an Singh alias
alias Lallan Singh 1thers 9 , it as e!d tat
Singh v State of 3ihar 0 1thers
onta)ination of ater resoures a)ounts to vio!ation of funda)enta! ri&ts.
#n Santosh :ovind
:ovind 4aha8an
4aha8an v State 4aharastra  te o)ba; Hi& ourt as of te
State of 4aharastra
vie tat te itienCs ri&t to aess !ean ater is a funda)enta! ri&t and te tate is bound to
su,,!; ,ortab!e ater to te itiens.
#n a nu)ber of distrits of #ndia oa o!a o),an; and its subsidiaries are aused of
reatin& severe ater sorta&es for te o))unit; b; e ?tratin& !ar&e Fuantities of ater for
teir fatories affetin& bot te Fuantit; and te Fua!it; of ater .7e vi!!a&e ouni!
onsideration to revoke of te !iense to be neessar; in order to ,rotet te interests of !oa!
 ,eo,!e as a!!en&ed in te Hi& ourt of era!a.
 Palachimada case2 te ourt reo&nised tat te tate as a trustee is under a
#n te Palachimada
!e&a! dut; to ,rotet natura! resoures. #t is onsidered tat tese resoures )eant for ,ub!i use
annot be onverted into ,rivate onersi,. Bustie a!akrisnan Nair asserted tat I..... it an
 be safe!; on!uded tat te under&round ater be!on&s to te ,ub!i. 7e state and its
instru)enta!ities sou!d at as trustees of tis &reat ea!t. 7e state as &ot a dut; to ,rotet
&round ater a&ainst e?essive e?,!oitation and te ination of te state in tis re&ard i!!
tanta)ount to infrin&e)ent of te ri&t to !ife of te ,eo,!e &uaranteed under arti!e 21 of te
onstitution of #ndia.33J
7us it an be said tat tere as been vio!ation of te
te funda)enta! ri&t to aess ater for
te basi needs of ,eo,!e. 7us te &overn)ent an be e!d !iab!e for vio!ation of te
funda)enta! ri&ts

30 *.#.+. 1%%2 Pat. $6 9

31 2012 3 8L7 56

32 Preu)att; 'ra)a Pana;at v. tate of era!a  16 9ee)ber 2003

33 Environ)enta! Las and onstitutiona!

onstitutiona! Provisions #n #ndia- b; +udra *dvoate at Hi& ourt
a!utta-.!e&a!serviesindia.o)

20
 NEHU2016/03-P

2!2!1!2 R9 9 W<74 5: 5<9? .49$

+i&t to :o!eso)e Environ)ent is a funda)enta! ri&t &uaranteed under *rt 21.
#n ua)o tis ri&t as bein& urtai!ed due to te situation tat as ,revai!in& in te re&ion
sine te ine,tion of tose e?avation
e?av ation ativities and estab!is)ent of te iron and stee! industr;.
9ue to tese ativities tere as ,o!!ution of air ater et in ua)o ausin& environ)enta!
 ,o!!ution and de&radation. 7ere as a!so re!ease of aardous ,o!!utant into te environ)ent
affetin& te o!eso)eness of te environ)ent. Po!!uted environ)ent is an unea!t;
environ)ent.
#n *.K #ussain v Union of +ndia  te ourt observed tat ri&t to seet ater and te ri&t to
free air are attributes of te ri&t to !ife under *rti!e 21.
ine due to affet of &overn)ent ativities ,eo,!eCs ri&t to o!eso)e and ea!t;
environ)ent as been vio!ated terefore &overn)ent is !iab!e for it and su
su ativities sou!d be
sto,,ed i))ediate as due to su ativities ,eo,!eCs funda)enta! ri&t as been infrin&ed.
2!2!1!3 R9 9 J?49  5<9? <$
9ue to te environ)enta! ,o!!ution and de&radation aused b; te e?avation ativities
and te stee! and iron industr; tere ave been ea!t issues for te ,eo,!e of ua)o.
7e ,eo,!e of ua)o ave been avin& diseases beause of ,o!!uted ater of river inasi
i is te )ost i),ortant soure of ater in u a)o and i as been traditiona!!; used
 b; its ,eo,!e for da; to da; ,ur,oses. 8ro) 2000 to 2015 tere ere 20000 re,orted ases of
diseases on!; in ua)o it; and a!)ost 1000 deats fro) tose diseases. 7ere as been a!so
inrease in te nu)ber of ater borne
bo rne diseases in ua)o it; and ad@oinin&
ad@o inin& areas. #t an be
ene inferred tat tese ativities are reatin& ea!t  aards for ,eo,!e and tus it is ar)in&
 ar)in&
teir ri&t to !ive a !ife of &ood ea!t.
 -.5. :odavarman -hirummul;ed v. Union of +ndia < a ase
#n te ver; reent ase of  -.5.
onernin& onservation of forests Bustie K.
K.. abara! e!dM onsiderin& te o),u!sions
of te tates and te de,!etion of forest !e&is!ative )easures ave sifted te res,onsibi!it; fro)
tates to te entre. oreover an; treat to te eo!o&; an !ead to vio!ation of te ri&t of

34 *.#.+. 1%%0 er 321

35 20123  2""

21
 NEHU2016/03-P

en@o;)ent of ea!t; !ife &uaranteed under *rt 21 i is reFuired to be ,roteted. 7e
onstitution en@oins u,on tis ourt a dut; to ,rotet te environ)ent.
*!so due to tese ativities tere as e?tintion of 8is IGJ in river  inasi i is te
 basi is te basi soure of ,rotein and oter i),ortant nutrients of te
te ,eo,!e of ua)o. *
stud; of :or!d
:or!d Environ)enta! 8oru) ,ointed out tat te re!eased ater fro) ater ,urifiation
 ,!ant !aks in essentia! o),onent of )inera! IKJ i an be onsidered one of te reasons for 
e?tintion of 8is G. 7is as aused defiienies in ,rotein and oter nutritiona! intake in
 ,o,u!ation of ua)o and resu!ted in )assive )a!nutrition tus ar)in& teir ri&t
ri&t to !ead a
ea!t; !ife.

2!3! T. 57 @.5>  :89?  9 ;5.9  9 7959’7 .<  ;.9>9 9 .49!

7o ,rotet and i),rove te environ)ent is a onstitutiona! )andate. #t is te o))it)ent for 
a ountr; edded to te ideas of a e!fare tate. 7e onstitution ontains s,eifi ,rovisions for 
environ)enta! ,rotetion under te a,ters of 9iretive Prini,!es of te tate Po!i; and
8unda)enta! 9uties. 7e absene of an;
an ; s,eifi ,rovision in te onstitution reo&nisin& te
funda)enta! ri&t to !ean and o!eso)e environ)ent a s been set off b; @udiia! ativis) in
te reent ti)es.
U:. A.9>< A M
* &!oba! ada,tion onsiousness for te ,rotetion of te environ)ent in te seventies
 ,ro),ted te 'overn)ent to enat te 42nd *)end)ent 1%"6 to te onstitution.
onstitution. 7e said
a)end)ent added *rti!e 4$* to te 9iretive Prini,!es of tate Po!i;. #t 9e!aresM-
I7e tate sa!! endeavour to ,rotet and i),rove te environ)ent and to safe&uard te
forests and i!d!ife of te ountr;J
7e *ndra Prades Hi& ourt in -. Damodar Rao v S.1. 4unici;al &or;oration,
 #6derabad !  and te Hi& ourt of Hi)aa! Prades in Kin"ri Devi v State$  inter,reted te
*rti!e 4$* as i),osin& an ob!i&ation on te &overn)ent in!udin& ourts to ,rotet te
environ)ent.

36 *#+ 1%$" *.P. 1"1.

37 *#+ 1%$$ H.P. 4

22
 NEHU2016/03-P

7us te 'overn)ent itse!f en&a&in& in ativities ausin& environ)enta! ,o!!ution breaes
its dut; and ob!i&ation to ,rotet te environ)ent and ene it is !iab!e to restore te
environ)ent and sto, a!! ativities tat ar) te env iron)ent.

#n L.K Koll=al vs. State of Ra8asthan > a si),!e rit ,etition b; itiens of Bai,ur
o),e!!ed te )unii,a! autorities to ,rovide adeFuate sanitation. 7e ourt observes tat en
ever; itien oes a onstitutiona! dut; to , rotet te environ)ent *rt.51* te itien )ust be
a!so entit!ed to en!ist te ourtCs aid in enforin& tat dut; a&ainst rea!itrant tate a&enies. 7e
ourt &ave te ad)inistration si? )ont to !ean u, te entire it; and dis)issed te ,!ea of !ak 
of funds and staff.
7e Pub!i 7rust 9otrine evo!ved in 4.&. 4ehta v. Kamal 5ath7 states tat ertain
o))on ,ro,erties su as rivers forests seasores and te air ere e!d b; 'overn)ent in
7rusteesi, for te free and uni),eded use of te &enera! ,ub!i. 'rantin& !ease to a )ote!
!oated at te bank of te +iver eas ou!d interfere it te natura! f!o of te ater and tat
te tate 'overn)ent ad breaed te ,ub!i trust dotrine.
* )atter re&ardin& te veiu!ar ,o!!ution in 9e!i it; in te onte?t of *rt 4" and 4$ of te
onstitution a)e u, for onsideration in 4.&. 4ehta vs. Union +ndia 40Aeiu!ar Po!!ution
Union of +ndia
ase. #t as e!d to be te dut; of te 'overn)ent to see tat
ta t te air did not beo)e
onta)inated due to veiu!ar ,o!!ution. 7e *,e? ourt a&ain onfir)in& te ri&t to ea!t;
environ)ent as a basi u)an ri&t stated tat te ri&t to !ean air a!so ste))ed fro) *rt 21
i referred to ri&t to !ife. 7is ase as served to be a )a@or !and)ark beause of i
!ead-free ,etro! su,,!; as introdued in 9e!i. 7ere as a o),!ete ,asin& out o!d
o))eria! vei!es )ore tan 5 ;ears o!d as direted b; te ourts. 9e!i oes its ,resent
!i)ati onditions to te atte),t )ade to )aintain !ean air.
7e 'an&a :ater Po!!ution aseM 4 & 4ehta %. Union of +ndia 
:ater

38 * # + 1%$$ +a@ 2 1%$" 1 :L 134

39 1%%"  1  3$$

40 *#+ 1%$$  61"

41 *#+ 1%$$  103"

23
 NEHU2016/03-P

7e oners of so)e tanneries near an,ur ere disar&in& teir eff!uents fro) teir fatories
in 'an&a itout settin& u, ,ri)ar; treat)ent ,!ants. 7e u,re)e ou rt e!d tat te finania!
a,ait; of te tanneries sou!d be onsidered as irre!evant i!e reFuirin& te) to estab!is
 ,ri)ar; treat)ent ,!ants. 7e ourt direted
direted to sto, te runnin& of tese tanneries and a!so not to
!et out trade eff!uents fro) te tanneries eiter diret!; or indiret!; into te river 'an&a itout
sub@etin& te trade eff!uents to a ,er)anent ,roess b; settin& u, ,ri)ar; treat)ent
#n te ver; reent ase of -.5. :odavarman -hirummul;ed v. Union of +ndia 2 a ase
onernin& onservation of forests Bustie K.
K.. abara! e!dM onsiderin& te o),u!sions
of te tates and te de,!etion of forest !e&is!ative )easures ave sifted te res,onsibi!it; fro)
tates to te entre. oreover an; treat to te eo!o&; an !ead to vio!ation of te ri&t of
en@o;)ent of ea!t; !ife &uaranteed under *rt 21 i is reFuired to be ,roteted. 7e
onstitution en@oins u,on tis ourt a dut; to ,rotet te environ)ent.
o fro) te above)entioned ases it is evident tat in tis instant ase te funda)enta!
ri&ts of te ,eo,!e ere vio!ated and 'overn)ent breaed its dut; to ,rotet te environ)ent
for i it is res,onsib!e for restoration sine in tis instant ase te 'overn)ent itse!f is te
 ,o!!uter.
2! E.495< P<<89$
*s tated ear!ier tere as been environ)enta! ,o!!ution and de&radation in ua)o due to
e?avation ativities and industria! ativities and +i&t to a ,o!!ution free environ)ent ,o!!ution
free air ater soi! et is a funda)enta! ri&t. 7us tese ativities ar) te ,u b!i interest and
sou!d be sto,,ed and ,!an
, !an for restoration sou!d be )ade in te interest of te ,ub!i e!fare.
Ia!us Po,u!i
Po,u!i u,re)a Le?J or I7e ea!t safet; and e!fare
e!fare of te ,eo,!e are
are te
te su,re)e
su,re)e
!aJ. *ordin&!; to tis )a?i) i as been enfored in ourts
ourts te e!fare of te
te ,eo,!e
sou!d a!a;s be te first onern and te su,re)e !a. *n;tin&
*n;tin& detri)enta! to e!fare of
 ,ub!i sou!d be sto,,ed. 7e ativities in ua)o are ar)in& te e!fare of te ,eo,!e b;
reatin& an unba!aned environ)ent tat is ,o!!uted and is tus !iab!e to be sto,,ed.
*!so restorin& te seni beaut; of ua)o sou!d be restored
restored in ,ub!i interest.

42 2012 3  2""

24
 NEHU2016/03-P

#n 4ehta 4.& v Union +ndia   te  direted 16$ industries i are onsidered to be te
Union of +ndia
)ain ause of environ)enta! de&radation in te a,ita! to be !osed and annot be ,er)itted to
o,erate and funtion in 9e!i.
%ellore &iti'ens &ase   te  direted 162 tanneries in 7a)i! Nadu to be !osed don
#n %ellore
 beause te; ere ,o!!utin& air and te ater around te area ere te; ere o,eratin& and te
ater ad been unort; for drinkin&.
#n te *rava!!i
*rava!!i ase te  a!!oed te tate to revoke a!! )inin& !eases due to te !ar&e sa!e
devastation of *rava!!i Hi!!s due to )inin&.
7us in te above ases e an see tat due to devastation and ,o!!ution of environ)ent te
onerned ativities as direted to be sto,,ed. 7ereb; it an be said tat in !ar&er ,ub!i
interest it an be it an be said tat te state and te entra!
 entra! &overn)ent sou!d sto, a!!
e?avation ativities and !ose te stee! industr; and be res,onsib!e for te restoration of natura!
 ,ristine beaut; of ua)o.
2! T #.49 8<: @ 5<7 <5@< . <59 5.87 ;.>;<7  .49

:it a vie to ,rotetin& and i),rovin& te environ)ent different !e&is!ations ave been )ade
and different re&u!ations ru!es ave been issued. 7e 'overn)ent trou& its inistr; of
Environ)ent and 8orests is ad)inisterin& and as enated nationide o),reensive !as.
2!!1 V<59  9 >>;9  S87955@< D<;49 M
7e one,t of ustainab!e 9eve!o,)ent )eans an inte&ration of deve!o,)ent and environ)ent
#),erative it )eans deve!o,)ent in ar)on; it environ)enta! onsideration. 7o be
sustainab!e deve!o,)ent )ust ,ossess bot eono)i and eo !o&ia! sustainabi!it;.
sustainabi!it;. #t is a
deve!o,)ent ,roess ere e?,!oitation of resoures diretion of invest)ent orientation of
teno!o&; deve!o,)ent and institutiona! an&es are a!! in ar)on;. ustainab!e deve!o,)ent
a!so i),!ies !oa! ontro! over te resoure use and is te on!; ,at for onservin& and
 ,ro)otin& soio-eono)i e!!bein& in a de)orati for).
7e u,re)e ourt as !aid don tat te Preautionar; ,rini,!e and te Po!!uter Pa;s
Prini,!e is essentia! features of sustainab!e deve!o,)ent. 7ese one,ts are ,art of
Environ)ent La of te ountr;.
43 *#+ 1%%6  2231

44 su,ra

25
 NEHU2016/03-P

7e essentia! in&redients of te ,reautionar; ,rini,!e areM

i Environ)enta! )easures- b; te state &overn)ent and te statutor; autorities- )ust
antii,ate ,revent and attak te auses of environ)ent de&radation.
ii :en tere are treats of serious and irreversib!e da)a&e !ak of sientifi ertaint; sou!d
not be used as a reason for ,ost,onin& )easure to ,revent environ)enta! de&radation.
iii 7e I(nus of ProofJ is on te ator or te deve!o,er/industria!ist to so tat is ation is
environ)enta!!; beni&n.
iv Preautionar; duties )ust not on!; be tri&&ered b ; te sus,iion of onrete dan&er but a!so
 b; onern or risk ,otentia!.
#n te instant it as observed tat te ,!an of e?avation and industr; indiated te ,robab!e
environ)enta! onseFuenes. 8urter te o))ittee a,,ointed b; te &ovt su&&ested
environ)enta! effets of te e?avation in ua)o sou !d be a,,raised before undertakin& an;
an ;
e?,ansion of te e?avation ativities in te re&ion. ut te &ovt ,aid no eed to it.
7e state and entra! &overn)ents ave asserted tat it i!! not sto, an; e?avation or stee!
industr; ativities ti!! it &ets substantia! evidene of an; !inka&es beteen tese ativities and
environ)enta! de&radation. o it observed tat even tere as a,,reension of environ)enta!
!oss te &ovt as &ross!; ne&!i&ent on its ,art on takin& ,reventive )easures.
#n 4.&. 4ehta v Union
Union of +ndia %ehicle &ase45
+ndia (&5: %e
7e u,re)e ourt observed tat an;
an ; auto-,o!i;C fra)ed b; te 'overn)ent )ust terefore
of neessari!; onfor) to te onstitutiona! ,rini,!es e!! as overridin& statutor; duties ast
u,on te &overn)ent
&o vern)ent under te EP*.
EP*. 7e auto ,o!i; )ust ado,t a ,reautionar; ,rini,!esC and
)ake infor)ed reo))endations i ba!ane te need to ,rotet te environ)ent.
7e ,o!!uter ,a;sQ ,rini,!e as inter,reted b; te ou rt )eans tat te abso!ute !iabi!it; for ar)
to te environ)ent e?tends not on!; to o),ensate te viti)s of ,o!!ution but a!so te ost of
restorin& te environ)enta! de&radation.
#n oter ords Po!!uter sou!d bear te ost of ,o!!ution as te ,o!!uter is res,onsib!e for
 ,o!!utionC. 7e ,rini,!e de)ands tat finania! osts of ,reventin& or re)ed;in& da)a&e aused
 b; ,o!!ution sou!d !ie it te undertakin&s i ause ,o!!ution. #t )a; be noted tat te
 ,o!!uter ,a;s ,rini,!e evo!ved out of te ru!e of abso!ute !iabi!it;C
!iabi!it;C as !aid don b; te a,e?
ourt in rira) 'as Leak ase

45 *#+ 2002  16%6

26
 NEHU2016/03-P

Hene it is te &overn)ent o is !iab!e for te restoration of te environ)enta! !oses.
%ellore &iti'ens &ase? ! 
#n a !and)ark @ud&)ent43 ere te ,rini,!e of sustainab!e deve!o,)ent as been ado,ted
 b; te u,re)e ourt as a ba!anin& one,t i!e re@etin& te o!d notion tat deve!o,)ent
and environ)enta! ,rotetion annot &o to&eter te a,e? ourt e!d te vie tat sustainab!e
deve!o,)ent as no o)e to be ae,ted as Ia viab!e one,t to eradiate ,overt; and i),rove
te Fua!it; of u)an !ife i!e !ivin& itin te a rr;in& a,ait; of te su,,ortin& eo s;ste).J
s ;ste).J
7us ,o!!ution reated as a onseFuene of deve!o,)ent )ust be o))ensurate it te
arr;in& a,ait; of our eos;ste).
Hoever in ua)o tere as no ba!ane beteen deve!o,)ent and environ)ent as tere
as si&nifiant environ)ent de&radation tat vio!ated te funda)enta! ri&ts and aused deats.
Hene tere as no sustainab!e deve!o,)ent.
2!6! V<59  9.595< >97 .59: @? 9 >89.?

7e state of o)avisu as ratified to te 1%"2

1% "2 toko!) 9e!aration i affir)s tat an
as te funda)enta! ri&t to freedo) eFua!it;
eFua !it; and adeFuate onditions of !ife in an environ)ent
of Fua!it; tat ,er)its a !ife of di&nit; and e!!-bein& and e bears a so!e)n res,onsibi!it; to
 ,rotet and i),rove te environ)ent for ,resent and future &enerations... 7is sos tat it
it as
 been internationa!!; reo&nied tat )anQs funda)enta! ri&ts e)braes te need to !ive in an
unonta)inated environ)ent but it a!so ,uts fort )anQs ob!i&ation to ,rotet te environ)ent
for ,osterit;.
o te &overn)ent is a!so !iab!e for te vio!ation of internationa! onventions.
2!*! V<59  <7<59$

*ordin& to te :ater

:ater Prevention and ontro! of Po!!ution *t 1%"4
#t ,roibits disar&e of ,o!!utants into ater bodies be;ond a &iven standard and !a;s don
 ,ena!ties for non-o),!iane it its ,rovisions.
#t set u, te entra! Po!!ution ontro! oard P i !a;s don standard for te
 ,revention and ontro! of ater ,o!!ution. *t
*t te state !eve! te tate Po!!ution ontro! oard
P funtions under te diretion of P.

46 1%%6 5  560O

27
 NEHU2016/03-P

7e funtions of P ave been !aid don in setion 16 ereas te funtions of P as
 been !aid don in setion 1".7e sa),!in& of eff!uents for test as been !aid don in setion 21.

2!! T #.49 7 <5@< . >587 P8@<> 875>

7e environ)enta! de&radation in ua)o due

du e to te e?avation and industria! ativities is
ar)in& te environ)ent and ausin& dan&er to te !ives of te ,eo,!e of ua)o. Nuisane is
ats interferin& it te o)fort ea!t or safet; of te individua!s. *s evidened above te
e?avation ativities and estab!is)ent of te stee! industr; as treatened te ver; e?istene of
te ,eo,!e in ua)o and aused dan&er and in@ur; to te ,eo,!e. #t is &oin& a&ainst te ,eaefu!
!ivin& of te ,eo,!e and &oin& a&ainst teir ea!t. 7us te e?avation and industria! ativities
 bein& undertaken b; te 9efendant )akes te) &ui!t; of Pub!i Nuisane.
P8@<> 875> 7 ::  7>9 26  9 I:5 ;5< >:, 160 57 <<7$
I* ,erson is &ui!t; of a ,ub!i nuisane o does an; at or is &ui!t; of an i!!e&a! o)ission
i auses an; o))on in@ur; dan&er or anno;ane to te ,ub!i or to te ,eo,!e
,eo, !e in &enera!
o de!! or ou,; ,ro,ert; in te viinit; or i )ust neessari!; ause in@ur; obstrution
dan&er or anno;ane to ,ersons o )a; ave oasion to use an; ,ub!i ri&ts.
* o))on nuisane is not e?used on te &round tat it auses so)e onveniene or
o r advanta&eJ.
7us te 9efendant an be e!d !iab!e
!iab!e for ivi! as e!! as ri)ina! ron& for nuisane under
etion 133 of te rP.
#n Deshi Sugar -u;si Kahar $  te !a of ,ub!i nuisane ontained in e. 133 of 
Sugar 4ill v -u;si
te rP as used as ear!; in 1%26
1 %26 for te ,ur,ose of te ,rotetion
, rotetion of te environ)ent. (n te
reFuest of about a undred ,eo,!e te sub-divisiona! )a&istrate ordered tat te to su&ar )i!!s
in te !oa!it; sou!d disontinue drainin& dirt; and to?i ater into te river. (n a,,ea! te
Patna Hi& ourt e!d tat te !a of nuisane in e 133 of rP ou!d be a,,!iab!e to a ase
of ,o!!ution.
7us in !i&t of te advaned ar&u)ents it an be said tat te state and te entra!
&overn)ent sou!d sto, a!! e?avation ativities and !ose te stee! industr; and be res,onsib!e
for te restoration of natura! ,ristine beaut; of ua)o.

47 *#+ 1%26 Pat 506

28
 NEHU2016/03-P

ISSUE 3

WHETHER THE STATE AND THE CENTRAL #OVERNMENT SHOULD PA

COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION AND REE NUTRITIONAL CARE OR THE PEOPLE IN
SUHAMO WHO WERE AECTED
7e tate and te entra! 'overn)ent sou!d ,a; o),ensation and free nutritiona! are for 
te ,eo,!e in ua)o o ere affeted beause
3!1! T. 5 @ 7>59 <777 7> 9 >;9  =>559 5>997
5: 795@<749  79< 5: . :879.? > 57 >587: .495<
;<<89 5: 97 .495< ;<<89 5: :.5:59 57 >587: =7995<
9.59 9 9 ;;<  S854!
3!1!1! L77  D. W59.
ore tan "0D of ,eo,!e in ua)o de,end on +iver inasi for drinkin& ater and
oter da; to da; uses as on!; 30D of te) ave ta, ater. Lar&e unk of river inasi
as diverted to fu!fi! te de)ands of te ater
 ater of te stee! industr; and inasi ori&inated
in ua)o fro) Lake u!ao). :it inasi bein& ,o!!uted and its ater beo )in&
inonsu)ab!e fro) 1%%$ ,eo,!e of ua)o ave to de,end on ater fro) natura!
s,rin&s or natura! !akes far aa;. ; 2014 even so)e of tese !akes and s,rin&s ave
turned barren. 7us te; ere a),erin& te aess to basi ater needs of te ,eo,!e.

5a6udu> te u,re)e ourt observed tat I9rinkin& ater is of

#n /PP&3 v 4.% 5a6udu
 ,ri)ar; i),ortane in te ountr;. #n fat #ndia is a ,art; to te reso!ution of te
UN( ,assed durin& te United Nations :ater onferene in 1%"" as underM I*!!
 ,eo,!e atever teir sta&e of deve!o,)ent and teir soia! and eono)i
onditions ave ri&t to aess drinkin& ater in Fuantu) and a Fua!it; eFua! to
teir basi needs.J
3!1!2!
3!1!2! L77  W<7
W<74
4 5:
5: 5<9
5<9?
? .
.4
49
9$$
ine te ine,tion of te ine,tion of e?avation ativities and estab!is)ent of stee!
and iron industr; tere as been environ)enta! ,o!!ution and de&radation of te
environ)ent.
#n )an; re,orted instanes te untreated ater fro) te stee! industr; as been
a!!oed to &o to river inasi fro) te ater ,urifiation ,!ant estab!ised to treat used
ater fro) te industr; i as never orked ,ro,er!;. 8ro) 1%%$ to 2015 tere are

48 2001 2  62O

29
 NEHU2016/03-P

a!)ost 50 su instanes ere fou! ater fro) te iron industr; &ot )er&ed in river
inasi and on su oasions te ater of te river inasi turned fu!! of dead aFuati
reatures its o!our an&ed and it bea)e fu!! of bad odour. #t as tus reated ater
 ,o!!ution.
Lar&e sates of forest !and ere !eared to )ake e? avation ativities ,ossib!e and
a!so nearb; forest areas of te stee! and iron industr; ave a!so been !eared to du),
oter &arba&e resu!tin& fro) te industr; !eadin& to d eforestation.
7us tere as been a !oss of ea!t; and o!eso)e and ba!aned environ)ent.
#n Rural Litigation
Litigation and Entitlement Kendra v State of UP 7 it as e!d b; te
Entitlement Kendra
u,re)e ourt tat ,o!!ution free environ)ent is an inte&ra! ,art to !ife under *rti!e 21.
#t furter observed tat it is i),ossib!e to !ive it di&nit; in an unea!t; and
unba!aned environ)ent.
#n #inchal -i=ari Kamala Devi <9 te u,re)e ourt observed tat I)ateria!
-i=ari v Kamala
resoures of te o))unit; !ike forests tanks ,onds i!!ok )ountain et. are natureCs
 bount;. 7e;
7e; )aintain de!iate eo!o&ia! ba!ane. 7e; need to be ,roteted for a ,ro,er 
and ea!t; environ)ent i enab!es ,eo,!e to en@o; a Fua!it; of !ife is te essene of
te &uaranteed ri&t under *rti!e 21 of te onstitution.
3!1!1!
3!1!1! L77
L77  5<9
5<9 :8
:8 9 ;<<8
;<<89:
9: .
.4
49!
9!
9ue to te environ)enta! ,o!!ution and de&radation aused b; te e?avation ativities
and te stee! and iron industr; tere ave been ea!t issues for te ,eo,!e of ua)o.
7e ,eo,!e of ua)o ave been avin& diseases beause of ,o!!uted ater of river
inasi i is te )ost i),ortant soure of ater in u a)o and i as been
traditiona!!; used b; its ,eo,!e for da; to da; ,ur,oses. 8ro) 2000 to 2015 tere ere
20000 re,orted ases of diseases on!; in ua)o it; and a!)ost 1000 deats fro) tose
diseases. 7ere as been a!so inrease in te nu)ber of ater borne diseases in ua)o
it; and ad@oinin& areas. #t an be ene inferred tat tese ativities are reatin& ea!t
aards for ,eo,!e and tus it is ar)in& teir ri&t to !ive a !ife of &ood ea!t.

49 *#+ 1%$5  652

50 2001 $  "65

30
 NEHU2016/03-P

#n -.5. :odavarman -hirummul;ed (>$) v Union of +ndia < te u,re)e ourt an;
treat to te eo!o&; an !ead to vio!ation of te ri&t of en@o;)ent of ea!t; !ife
&uaranteed under *rti!e 21 of te onstitution of #ndia.
 8is GC i
i is te s,eifiit; of on!; te tree rivers tat e)anate fro) Lake
u!ao) is te basi soure of ,rotein and
an d oter i),ortant nutrients of te ,eo,!e of
ua)o. 7e ,eriod of 2000 -2015 as a!so itnessed substantia! fa!! in te nu )ber of
fis G in river inasi and b; 2015
201 5 tese fises ave on!; been in vo&ue for teir sant
 ,resene in inasi. * stud; of :or!d
:or!d Environ)enta! 8oru) ,ointed
,ointed out tat te re!eased
ater fro) ater ,urifiation ,!ant !aks in essentia! o),onent of )inera! IKJ i
an be onsidered one of te reasons for e?tintion of 8is G. 7is as aused
defiienies in ,rotein and oter nutritiona! intake in ,o,u!ation of ua)o and resu!ted
in )assive )a!nutrition tus ar)in& teir ri&t to !ead a ea !t; !ife.
#n &ES& Ltd vs. Subash &handra 3ose <2 te u,re)e ourt e!d tat +i&t to ea!t
is a funda)enta! ri&t.
3!1! L77  .79 >.
7e out :est +e&ion of o)avisu is o),rised of i!!s forests and )an; fast
f!oin& rivers and is o),rised of )an; o))unities of triba! ,o,u!ations !ivin& tere
sine ti)es i))e)oria!. Lar&e sates of forest !and ere !eared in tis re&ion for
e?avation and industria! ,ur,oses ausin& deforestation.
7e forest as used for non forest ,ur,oses tat are e?avation of )inera!s i.e. )inin&
and du), industria! aste in forest !and.
3!2! T 79;7 95 @? 9 #.49 5. 5:859 5: 78>9!
3!2!1 7e ater treat)ent or ,urifiation ,!ant estab!ised to treat used ater fro) industr;
as never orked ,ro,er!; and fro) 1%%$ to 2015 tere are a!)ost 50 su instanes ere fou!
untreated ater fro) te iron industr; &ot )er&ed in river inasi. 7e &overn)ent autorities
ave ,!eaded tenia! reasons out of teir ontro! but no ste,s ave been taken to fi? te
 ,urifiation ,!ant even after so )an; instanes.

51 2006 1  1

52 *#+ 1%%2
1%%2  5"3 5$5

31
 NEHU2016/03-P

3!2!2 *round "0D of Peo,!e of ua)o de,end on inasi and oter natura! !akes and s,rin&s
for teir basi ater needs. Hoever it river inasi ,o!!uted and )an; !akes and s,rin&s
avin& turned barren ater as beo)e an issue. (n!; 30D as ta, ater and even tou& te
'overn)ent as ,ro)ised ta, ater to ever; ouseo!d it is an idea. #n te )eanti)e no oter
ste,s ave been taken to address te ater ,rob!e)s of te ,eo,!e.
3!2!3! No ste,s ave been taken to address te nutritiona! needs of te ,eo,!e and to ,rovide
ea!t )easures for ,eo,!e affeted of diseases. *!so no ste,s ave been taken to address te
environ)enta! ,o!!ution aused b; tese ativities and return ua)o to its ,ristine natura!
 beaut;.
3!3. I9 7 9 .7;7@<9?  9 #.49 9 ;5? >4;759!
3!3!1 T #.49 7 8<9?  P8@<> N875>!
7e environ)enta! de&radation in ua)o due to te e?avation and industria! ativities is
ar)in& te environ)ent and ausin& dan&er to te !ives of te ,eo,!e of ua)o. Nuisane is
ats interferin& it te o)fort ea!t or safet; of te individua!s. *s evidened above te
e?avation ativities and estab!is)ent of te stee! industr; as treatened te ver; e?istene of
te ,eo,!e in ua)o and aused dan&er and in@ur; to te ,eo,!e. #t is &oin& a&ainst te ,eaefu!
!ivin& of te ,eo,!e and &oin& a&ainst teir ea!t. 7us te e?avation and industria! ativities
 bein& undertaken b; te 9efendant )akes te) &ui!t; of Pub!i Nuisane.
P8@<> 875> 7 ::  7>9 26  9 I:5 ;5< >:, 160 57 <<7$
I* ,erson is &ui!t; of a ,ub!i nuisane o does an; at or is &ui!t; of an i!!e&a! o)ission
i auses an; o))on in@ur; dan&er or anno;ane to te ,ub!i or to te ,eo,!e
,eo, !e in &enera!
o de!! or ou,; ,ro,ert; in te viinit; or i )ust neessari!; ause in@ur; obstrution
dan&er or anno;ane to ,ersons o )a; ave oasion to use an; ,ub!i ri&ts.
* o))on nuisane is not e?used on te &round tat it auses so)e onveniene or
o r advanta&eJ.
7us te 9efendant an be e!d !iab!e
!iab!e for ivi! as e!! as ri)ina! ron& for nuisane under
etion 133 of te rP.
#n Deshi Sugar -u;si Kahar < te !a of ,ub!i nuisane ontained in e. 133 of 
Sugar 4ill v -u;si
te rP as used as ear!; in 1%26
1 %26 for te ,ur,ose of te ,rotetion
, rotetion of te environ)ent. (n te
reFuest of about a undred ,eo,!e te sub-divisiona! )a&istrate ordered tat te to su&ar )i!!s
in te !oa!it; sou!d disontinue drainin& dirt; and to?i ater into te river. (n a,,ea! te

53 *#+ 1%26 Pat 506

32
 NEHU2016/03-P

Patna Hi& ourt e!d tat te !a of nuisane in e 133 of rP ou!d be a,,!iab!e to a ase
of ,o!!ution.
#n te ase Dr. 3al=ant
3al=ant Singh
Singh v &ommissioner others < te u,re)e ourt
&ommissioner of Police and others
o,ined tat Ite !a on nuisane is e!! sett!ed. Nuisane in an; for) is reo&nised in te La
of 7orts.
7orts. :eter ,rivate ,ub!i or o))on i resu!ts in affetin& an;oneCs ,ersona! or !and
 ,ro,ert; ri&ts &ives i) a ause of ation/ri&t to seek re)edia! )easures in
in ourt of !a
a&ainst tose o aused su nuisane to i) and furter &ives i) a ri&t to obtain neessar;
re!iefs bot in te for) of ,reventin& of o))ittin& of nuisane and a,,ro,riate da)a&es/
o),ensation for te !oss if sustained b; i) due to ausin& of su nuisane.
7us te 9efendant ere is ri)ina!!; !iab!e as e!! as !iab!e to ,a; a,,ro,riate da)a&es/
o),ensation for te !osses of te ,eo,!e of ua)o.
3!3!2. N<> @? 9 .49 457 9 <5@< 9 ;5? 5;;.;.59 :5457 5:
>4;759 .
7e 'overn)ent as ne&!i&ent in teir dut; to ,rotet te environ)ent and ensurin& ,eaefu!
en@o;)ent of te ea!t safet; and !ife of te ,eo,!e. Ne&!i&ene is a kind of tort ere a
re)ed; for environ)enta! ,o!!ution !ies. ; ne&!i&ene e )ean a brea of dut; aused b; te
o)ission in doin& so)etin& or doin& so)etin& are!ess!;
are !ess!; or ne&!i&ent!;.
9ue to te stee! and iron industr; tere as been environ)enta! ,o!!ution. 7e :ater
 ,urifiation ,!ant of te industr; never orked ,ro,er!; and tere are 50 instanes en fou!
ater fro) te industr; &ot )i?ed it te river re!easin& ,oisonous substanes and to?ins in
inasi. #n s,ite of tat no ste,s ere taken b; te 9efendant i.e. te &overn)ent to orret or fi?
te ,!ant. 7is as aused &reat ar) and da)a&e to te ,eo,!e in ua)o b; )akin& te ater
 ,o!!uted onta)inated and a),erin& aess of basi ater needs i is te funda)enta!
ri&t of te ,eo,!e. Not on!; tat te ,o!!uted ater as aused diseases and infrin&ed te ri&t of 
te ,eo,!e to en@o; a ea!t; !ife. 7e resu!tin& environ)enta! ,o!!ution and de&radation beause
of te ne&!i&ent ats of te &overn)ent
&ov ern)ent as infrin&ed te ri&t of ,eo,!e to en@o; a o!eso)e
ea!t; safe ba!ane and !ean environ)ent.
7e infrin&ed ri&ts of te ,eo,!e are funda)enta! ri&ts and ,er as te onstitution of
#ndia te tate i.e. 7e 'overn)ent te ourts et are !e&a!!; dut; bound to res,et te) and
not vio!ate te).

54 2015 5 8L7 1

33
 NEHU2016/03-P

*!so *rti!e 4$ * of te onstitution of #ndia states tat Ite tate sa!! endeavour to
 ,rotet and i),rove te environ)ent and to safe&uard te forests and i!d!ife of te ountr;.J
ountr;.J
7e *ndra Prades Hi& ourt in -. Damodar Rao v S.1. 4unici;al &or;oration,
 #6derabad << and te Hi& ourt of Hi)aa! Prades in Kin"ri Devi v State<!  inter,reted te
*rti!e 4$* as i),osin& an ob!i&ation on te &overn)ent in!udin& ourts to ,rotet te
environ)ent.
#n &entre for Environmental La=, *@ v Union of +ndia and others <$  te u,re)e
ourt observed tat te tate as a ustodian of natura! resoures as a dut; to )aintain te)
not )ere!; for te benefit of te ,ub!i
, ub!i but for te best interest of f!ora fauna i!d!ife and so
on.
#t is tus evident tat
tat te 'overn)ent as a !e&a! dut; to
to ,rotet te environ)ent and te
te
ri&ts of te ,eo,!e and b;
b ; not takin& are in o,eration of tese ativities i resu!ted in
environ)enta! ,o!!ution/ de&radation te 'overn)ent as breaed teir !e&a! dut; to take are
and is &ui!t; of ne&!i&ene.
7us te ,eo,!e of ua)o are entit!ed to a,,ro,riate da)a&es and o),ensation.
3!3!3! T #.49 7 9.987<? <5@< 9 ;5? 5;;.;.59 :5457 5: >4;759 9
9 ;;<  S854 .
7e environ)enta! ,o!!ution and de&radation in ua)o is due to te e?avation ativities
and te industria! ativities. 7ese ativities ave infrin&ed te funda)enta! ri&ts of te ,eo, !e
of ua)o and ave re!eased aardous ,o!!utants in te environ)ent due to i an unsafe
unea!t; unba!aned environ)ent as resu!ted as te onseFuenes of tose ations. 7e tate
as a dut; to ,rotet te environ)ent.
env iron)ent. * ea!t; ba!aned safe and o!eso)e environ)ent is
te funda)enta! ri&t of ,eo,!e. 7e 'overn)ent is !iab!e under La of 7orts to ,a;
o),ensation and re,air an; da)a&e suffered b; te ,eo,!e of ua)o.

55 *#+ 1%$" *.P. 1"1.

56 *#+ 1%$$ H.P. 4

57 2012 3 8L7 6"2

34
 NEHU2016/03-P

7ort
7ort is a ivi! ron& for i te re)ed; in o))on !a is ation for un!iFuidated
da)a&es5$ and tortiuous !iabi!it; arises fro) a brea of dut; fi?ed b; !a. 7e 'overn)ent as
)entioned ear!ier as a dut; and ob!i&ation to ,rotet te environ)ent and is a!so dut; bound not
to vio!ate te funda)enta! ri&ts &uaranteed to te ,eo,!e. ine tere as been bot
environ)enta! de&radation and infrin&e)ent of funda)enta! ri&ts due to te e?avation
ativities and industria! ativities undertaken b; te 'overn)ent te; ave !ear!; breaed
teir dut; and an be e!d tortious!; !iab!e.
3!3!3!1! S9.>9 L5@<9?
Under te dotrine of strit !iabi!it; a ,erson is e!d !iab!e even tou& e is not
ne&!i&ent in ausin& te sa)e or tere is no intention to ause te ar).
ar ).
*letcher <7 , te u,re)e ourt observed Ie are of te vie tat an
#n te R6land v. *letcher 
enter,rise i is en&a&ed in a aardous or inerent!; dan&erous industr; i ,oses a
 ,otentia! treat to te ea!t and safet; of te ,ersons orkin& in te fator; and residin& in
surroundin& areas oes an abso!ute and non de!e&atab!e dut; to te o))unit; to ensure tat no
ar) resu!ts to an; one on aount of aardous or inerent!; dan&erous
d an&erous ativit; i it as
undertaken!
; tis te 'overn)ent of o)avisu an be strit!; e!d !iab!e for teir ations i as
aused ar) to te ,eo,!e of ua)o on aount of reatin& an e?istentia! treat to te ,eo,!e
and ,osin& aard to teir ea!t and !ife due to environ)enta! ,o!!ution .7us te &overn)ent is
tortious!; !iab!e to te ,eo,!e of ua)o for a,,ro,riate da)a&es and o),ensation.
3!3!3!2 A@7<89 L5@<9?
Under te dotrine of abso!ute !iabi!it; and as , er te ,rovisions of ru!e of strit !iabi!it; te
aardous industries o,eratin& te ountr; are su,,osed to bear te burden of te da)a&e te;
te ;
aused.
#n te ase of 3ho;al :as Lea"
Lea" &ase su,ra te need to evo!ve a ne ,rini,!e in te
 ,revai!in& soio-eono)i onditions as fe!t. :i!e
:i!e a,,!;in& te ,rini,!e of abso!ute !iabi!it;
!iabi!it;
te u,re)e ourt e!dM

58 9efinition b; !akstone
!akstone

59  1$6$ #+ 3 HL 330O

35
 NEHU2016/03-P

I:e ou!d terefore o!d tat an enter,rise is en&a&ed in a aardous or inerent!;

dan&erous ativit; and ar) resu!ts on aount
aoun t of aident in te o,eration of
o f su ativit;
resu!tin& in for e?a),!e an esa,e of
o f to?i &as te enter,rise is strit!; and abso!ute!; !iab!e to
o),ensate a!! tose o are affeted b; a ident and su !iabi!it; is not sub@eted to a n; of te
e?e,tion i o,erate vis-a-vis te tortious ,rini,!e of strit !iabi!it; under te ru!in&s )ade
in +;!and vs. 8!eter. 7e !ar&er and te )ore ,ros,erous te enter,rise te &reater )ust be te
a)ount of o),ensation ,a;ab!e b; it for te ar) aused on aount of an aident in arr;in&
on te aardous or inerent!; dan&erous ativit; of te enter,rise.J
#n +ndian &ouncil for Enviro@legal action v Union of +ndia !9 it as e!d tat te
 ,o!!utin& industries are abso!ute!; !iab!e to o),ensate for te ar) aused b; te) to te
vi!!a&ers in te affeted area to te soi! and to te under&round ater and ene te; are bound
to take a!! neessar; )easures to re)ove s!ud&e and oter ,o!!utants !;in& in te affeted areas.
#n ua)o te e?avation ativities and te estab!is)ent of iron and stee! industr;
tere as been u&e a)ount of environ)enta! ,o!!ution and de&radation it te re!ease of
no?ious ,o!!utants in te environ)ent i as reated an e?istentia! treat to te ,eo,!e of
ua)o. 7us te 'overn)ent is abso!ute!; !iab!e to ,a ; o),ensation to te ,eo,!e of
ua)o.
3!3!! T #.49 @ 9 ;<<89. 7 <5@< 9 ;5? >4;759 5: . 89.95<
>5. . 9 ;;<  S854  . 5>9:
7e 'overn)ent
'overn)ent is
is !iab!e
!iab!e to ,a; o),ensation and free
free nutritiona!
nutritiona! are for te ,eo,!e in
ua)o o ere affeted beause it is te ,o!!uter. *ordin& to te ,o!!uter ,a;s ,rini,!e is
te Ro))on!; ae,ted ,ratie tat tose o ,o!!utes )ust bear te burden of te
onseFuenes of te ,o!!ution.
7e IPo!!uter
IPo!!uter Pa;s
Pa;s ,rini,!e
,rini,!e a)e about in te 1%"0s at te
te ti)e en te i),ortane of
environ)ent and its ,rotetion as in te rea!ied in te o!e or!d and it as subseFuent!;
 ,ro)oted b; te or&anisation for eono)i or,oration and deve!o,)ent (E9. 7e I,o!!uter
 ,a;s ,rini,!eJ as inter,reted b; te ourt )eans tat te abso!ute !iabi!it; to te environ)ent
e?tends not on!; to o),ensate te viti)s of ,o!!ution but a!so te ost of restorin&
environ)enta! de&radation.

60 1%%6 *#+ : 106%

36
 NEHU2016/03-P

#n oter ords ,o!!uter sou!d bear te ost of ,o!!ution as te ,o!!uter is res,onsib!e for te
 ,o!!ution. 7e ,rini,!e de)ands tat finania! osts of ,reventin& and re)ed;in& da)a&e
aused b; ,o!!ution sou!d !ie it te undertakin& i ause ,o!!ution.
#t )a; be noted tat ,o!!uter ,a ;s ,rini,!e evo!ved of te ru!e of abso!ute !iabi!it; as !aid don
 b; te *,e? ourt in rira)
rira) Leak ase.
-a8 -ra;e'ium &ase ! te ourt reo&nised tat te I,o!!uter ,a;s ,rini,!eJ )eans to
#n te -a8
tin&s ,ri)ari!;M 1. 7e ,o!!uter sou!d ,a; for te ad)inistration of te ,o!!ution ontro! s;ste)
and 2. 7e ,o!!uter sou!d ,a; for te onseFuenes of te ,o!!ution. *nd te ,o!!uter sou!d
a!so bear te finania! onseFuenes of te ,o!!ution
!2
7e u,re)e ourt in %ellore
%ellore &iti'ens
&i ti'ens elfare
elfare *orum v Union of +ndia observed tat I7e
*utorit; sa!! o),ute te o),ensation under to eads na)e!; for revisin& te eo!o&; and
for ,a;)ent to individua!s.J
#n #amid Khan vs.  .! te ourt ordered free )edia! treat)ent to be &iven to te
vs. State of 4.P 
 ,eo,!e besides aardin& o),ensation.
7us e an sa;
sa; tat te 'overn)ent bein&
bein& te
te ,o!!uter
,o!!uter is !iab!e to ,a; o),ensation
o),ensation and
free nutritiona! are for te ,eo,!e in ua)o o ere affeted.

T87  <9  9 5.75: 5.8497 9 >5 @ 75: 959 9 #.49 7 <5@< . 9
J8.? 9 ;;<’7 .97 5: .495< :.5:59 5: > 7 <5@< 9 .79. 9
.49 5: ;5? 5;;.;.59 :5457 . >4;759 5: . 89.95< >5. 9
9 ;;<  S854  . 987 5>9: @? 9 5>97  9 #.49!

61  *#+ 1%%6  2"15O

62 u,ra at itation 42

63  *#+ 1%%" P 1%1O

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 NEHU2016/03-P

 PRAER 
#n !i&t of te issues raised  ar&u)ents advaned ases itied in front of te HonCb!e
u,re)e ourt te Proseutor )ost u)b!; ,!eas tat te ourt )a;M
1. 9iret te 9efendants to sto, a!! e?avation orks in te
te distrit of ua)o i))ediate!;
sand to sto, furter e?,ansion of su ativities sou!d be onsidered.
2. 9iret te stee!
stee! industr; estab!ised
estab!ised in distrit
distrit ua)o to be !osed i))ediate!;.
i))ediate!;.
3. 7e tate &ovt. as e!! as te
te entra! &ovt. )a;
)a; be direted to ,re,are a ,!an for
restoration of natura! beaut; of te distrit ua)o i))ediate!;.
i))ediate!;.
4. 9iret te 'overn)ents to ,a; o),ensation to te viti)s or teir nearest re!atives o
ave been affeted b; an; one of te ater borne disease in ua)o it; on aount of
estab!is)ent of tee! industr; and to ,rovide nutritiona! are free of ost to a!!
 ,o,u!ation of ua)o it; ti!! te abundane of 8is G in te river inasi is aieved
5. 7e Proseutor u)b!; ,ra;s tat te; )a; be a!!oed toto a,,roa te a,,ro,riate foru)
in order to take ,unitive ri)ina! ation a&ainst
a& ainst te 9efendants for teir ne&!i&ene and
tortious ats.
6. 'rant oter re!iefs as te HonCb!e ourt )a; dee) fit in te !i&t
!i&t of Bustie EFuit; and
'ood onsiene

8or i te ounse!s on bea!f of te ,roseution i!! forever be dut; bound and ob!i&ed.

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