Does the right to clean environment entail legal regulation on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article 21 of Indian Constitution and Judgement(s) of the Apex court in this regard.

Theme

T80 Environment, courts & civil society: Art 21, environmental PILs, green NGOs & pressure groups

What UPSC asks in this theme

A cross-paper theme: Art 21 and the right to clean environment (firecrackers), Supreme Court constitutionalising environment, environmental pressure groups and NGOs, and policy contradictions causing degradation.

What to cover

• Environmental case laws: MC Mehta, Vellore, Subhash Kumar
• Public trust doctrine, polluter pays, precautionary principle
• Green pressure groups and NGOs (Chipko, Narmada Bachao)
• Policy contradictions between sectors

Writing the answer

• Cite at least two case laws; link GS2 polity with GS3 environment

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 5 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.