Volume : 3, Issue : 3, March - 2014

Environmental Justice and Human Rights

Dr. Mahalinga K

Abstract :

 Environmental justice and human rights have more in common than a cursory look at either reveals. Central to both is the intra and inter generation distribution of costs and benefits of development. Their primary concern is the improvement of the quality of life of people and enhanced access to resources.Over the past couple of years a concern has grown both at the national as well as the international level: this concern is about protecting/preserving environment. The environment is not merely seen as protecting the surrounding areas, rather protecting the globe. The issues of environment are now expanded to include such issues as livelihood, surrounding, air, water, green house effect, nuclear free world, etc. More than that it is now linked to the larger issues of identity, culture, development including social categories. The environmental justice movement in the India challenges a process of development does not ensure the sharing of environmental costs and benefits equitably among all citizens. It Singles out the siting of waste treatment facilities in certain communities as inordinately burdens them. Like sustainable development proponents, advocates of environmental justice are concern about the changes that development occasions in access to environmental goods. Both seek to have integrated into the development process mechanisms for ensuring access for all. However, sustainable development is not limited to qualify of life concerns but also includes concerns about unequal access to natural resources, especially for rural people.