Introductory

Welecom Friends !!

To this Under graduate programme on environmental law and policy.

I am Vivek Dubey, faculty of environmental law at Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya Sagar,
Madhya Pradesh.

Before we discuss the core contents of this programme lets first discuss why you need this course
or what you achieve by doing this course.

Today Environmental law professionals can work in various businesses, government agencies,
and at private law firms. Their expertise is necessary in many arenas, from ensuring existing
laws are adhered to, and working to write new ones as necessary. They may help on
Environmental Impact Assessments, they may testify on behalf of the public against a
corporation, they may help business owners find new means to conduct their desired trades, or
they may work to help raise or lower government standards of accepted pollutants or toxins. The
energy sector, especially oil and natural gas, employs a good number of environmental lawyers.

Lets now see what the course is about

Law and policy plays an important role in the protection, conservation and management of
natural resources as well as pollution control.

Presently rapid industrial growth is leading towards irreversible environmental degradation such
as water pollution, air pollution, climate change and global warming. Moreover tremendous
growth in population and urbanization have created the problems such as deforestation, huge
generation of solid wastes, loss of biodiversity and degradation of land etc. In such
circumstances, the role of society, the role of individuals and government has become more
important to curb the situation of environmental degradation. In such background it is indeed
necessary for law students to understand the legislative measures for prevention of pollution and
protection of environment.

The uniqueness of this course lies in the fact that the problems it raises do not relate merely to
specific individuals but about such matters as national development, industrial policy, policies
concerning natural resources, injustice to communities, inter generational equity and prevention
of pollution. All these issues relate to problematic about construction of a just, humane and
healthy society. Secondly, environmental law necessarily demands an inter-disciplinary
approach. Thirdly, the development of ecological knowledge has necessitated an overall change
not only in managerial studies but also in socio-legal explorations. This approach to the growing
dimensions of environmental law is essential.

Structure of the programme

This course intends to introduce the students to the vast field of Environmental Law and Policy.

This is an 8 week undergraduate mooc programme divided into 10 modules.

The course would be divided into three broad areas. The first part would cover the basic concepts
and principles of Environmental Law. This would include judicial precedents, which now forms
an essential part of environmental jurisprudence.

The second part would be divided into specific introductory modules on forests and wild life
including bio-diversity related laws; Air and Water related laws including mega projects and
marine laws; and laws relating to hazardous substances.

The third part would discuss the developments at the international level in the field of
environmental law.

At the end of the course it is expected that the students would be familiar with the overall
Environmental Law and Policy regime of the country as well as its international obligations. It is
expected that the case studies would equip them with basic knowledge and skills to understand
environmental law issues

Who can do this?

The course is meant for under graduate Law students, Police persons, Government and Private sector
employees, Advocates, Professional from industries and law firms, Judicial , legislative and executive
members of the government.