Environmental Justice and Human Rights: An Analysis of Environmental Inequality in India

Abstract

Environmental justice and human rights are widely acknowledged as interrelated frameworks for comprehending the disproportionate allocation of environmental detriment and safeguarding. Environmentally harmful activities extend beyond ecological issues since they involve social, political, and economic differences. Environmental degradation and violation of human rights have been studied in relation to each other in this study. The study proposes that pollution, climate change, environmental degradation, land grabbing, and unequal distribution of natural resources adversely affect disadvantaged social groups, such as indigenous populations, rural people, poor urban dwellers, and low-income individuals. In this paper, the issue of environmental justice will be discussed in the broader discourse of equality, dignity, sustainability, and democracy. The ways in which environmental disparity affects the rights to life, health, water, food, shelter, livelihood, and participation will be discussed. Moreover, this paper highlights how the Constitution of India, judicial measures, and environmental legislation have an impact on environmental justice. Particular attention is paid to air and water pollution, forest rights, displacement, and environmental problems faced by socially disadvantaged people. The state, business organizations, and other institutions have both contributed to and worked towards overcoming environmental damage. This paper argues that environmental justice is vital for protecting human rights and achieving sustainable development in India, which requires substantive equality, democracy, and ecological sustainability