An Introduction to Environmental Law

Nature used to play with its own rule with the harmony of environment and climate but slowly we the humans took control over the thus changes the balance of ecosystem, as a consequence things are different now; the ecosystem got interrupted by us, food chain changed climate is on the rise and understand the value of environment. Where once we too the environment for granted made us realised it’s importance. Now, we are concern, deep concern, we have to restore the environment and therefore we start creating laws and rules. These laws, rules, treaties, conventions (etc.) are environmental law; laws that limit or bars or encourages certain activities of individuals, state or any other legal entity.

Before going further we should understand some technical terms for the proper understanding of the Environmental law.

Environment: Natural resources both abiotic and biotic, such as air water, soil, fauna and flora and the interaction the same factors, property which form part of the cultural heritage and characteristics aspects of the landscape.
— As defined by the Council of Europe.

Ecology: It implies interrelationship between different components of the environment. It is a science related to environment and to nature which is concerned with animals and plants. An ecology is a scientific study of the processes influencing the distribution and abundance of organisms and interaction among organisms.

Ecosystem: Ecosystem implies a complex balance between different units of the environment. It refers to the combined physical and biological structure of a given area within the natural environment. An ecosystem is a complex set of relationships among living resources, habitats and human being in a given area.
[often these three terms are used interchangeably]

Pollution: This term means contamination or alteration of physical, chemical or biological properties of air, water or soil which is harmful, injurious or detrimental to public health and ecosystem including livestock, wild animals, bird, fish, plant or other forms of life.

Now we can term “Environmental law” in a more structural way, the Environmental law refers to laws and regulations, principles, procedure, institutional norms that deal with protection of the environment. It also means that kind of laws, which regulate human activities that pollute the environment.

In a broad sense, the Environmental law serves following purpose.

1. Environmental protection and pollution control
2. conservation and management of natural resources and ecosystem
3. defining liability and punishment for violations of environmental law
4. elaborate the role and responsibilities of institutions involved in environmental protection.

The environmental law regulates both state and non-state factors.

Comming up: Nature, Philosophical of Environmental Law, Environmental Law In Bangladesh.
Stay tuned.

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Rayhanul Islam

Advocate Rayhanul Islam is the founder and Editor in Chief of Law Help BD. He is also a researcher. Critical thinking is his main focus. He is on a quest to bring positive change to the legal sector of Bangladesh. He promotes legal knowledge and human rights concept to the root level. e-mail: [email protected]

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