Biodiversity Conservation safeguarding people and planet in a digital green database
Article 48A directs the state to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. In contrast, Article 51 A(g) provides a fundamental duty of citizens to protect and enhance the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. The Environment (Protection) Act, of 1986 empowers the central government to manage pollution, hazardous substances, and industrial activities, set emission standards, and coordinate with state authorities, indirectly promoting biodiversity conservation. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 was enacted to conserve biological resources, manage their sustainable use, and enable fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use and knowledge of biological resources with the local communities.
In the Landmark case of the Animal Welfare Board of India vs. A. Nagaraja & Ors (2014), SC recognized that every species has an inherent right to live and shall be protected by law, emphasizing the constitutional mandate under Article 21 of the constitution. In the Mk Ranjit Singh vs. Union of India case, the SC affirmed the right to a healthy environment and protection from climate change, balancing species conservation with climate action.
Discussion: The strategy that can be implemented to improve biodiversity conservation in India is by providing ecosystem-based conservation through the identification of ecological networks, involving local communities, and expanding to community-conserved areas in the form of capacity-building initiatives. The need for legal recognition in the creation of a national database biodiversity-friendly infrastructure development. Further, measures are green roofs, and vertical gardens in the digital-driven era. Green infrastructure is an approach to water management that protects, restores or mimics the natural water cycle. Green infrastructure is effective, and economical, and enhances community safety and quality of life authenticating the significance of balancing species conservation with climate action.
Conclusion: There is a dire need for realization of the biodiversity conservation in the form of campaign-led green infrastructure development. Our Constitution provides the guidelines for the state government to implement policies for species conservation. This enables the fundamental right to know about the hazards of climate change which builds in capacity of a one-digital green database. This concept symbolizes community mobilization which can be incorporated in the statute law itself defining the concept of natural resources conservation.
References:
3. Constitution of India, 1950
4. Biological Diversity Act, 2002
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sonia Chillarge is an Assistant Professor at Barrister A.R. Antulay College of Law, Mumbai. She can be reached via email at advsoniachillarge@gmail.com.