PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN INDIA: LEGAL PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The development of India since independence has been a constant tussle between economic growth and sustainable use of resources and the protection of the environment. The rapid industrialisation ,growing infrastructure to meet developmental goals and growing population demand, and mining has resulted sever degradation and exploitation of environment directly affecting the entire nation and to be precise the marginalized and underprivileged section of the society. Environment justice addresses this very problem and is a movement aimed at addressing the injustices and atrocities related to environment happening to marginalized communities it holds the notion that everyone regardless of race colour income and national origin have the right to same environmental protection and benefits as well as meaningful involvement in policies that shape their communities. Since the late 1970s Public interest litigation(PIL) have allowed judicial intervention in issues ranging from fundamental right to environmental justice. The supreme court has invoked fundamental rights like right to life in shaping environmental justice in India. This article argues that public interest litigation has functioned a crucial legal pathway for achieving environmental justice and to achieve the broader goal of sustainable development by also throwing light on structural and implementation based limitations.