Climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss are challenges that we face regularly for dealing with these types of challenges we need specialized legal intervention which is where environmental law comes into the picture. Environmental law deals with environmental issues from air and water pollution to waste management, and climate change that aims to protect, conserve the country’s environment and natural resources. Environmental laws in India have developed over the years and have been strengthened by landmark judgments of the Supreme Court.
Skills Requirement for Environmental Law
- Analytics and Problem-Solving Skills: Environmental lawyers analyze complex legal, and scientific information by developing creative solutions to environmental problems.
- Strong Research and Writing Skills: These skills include extensive research and writing. To effectively communicate difficult legal and scientific concepts in written and oral form.
- Advocacy and Persuasion Skills: Strong advocacy and persuasion skills are efficient for success in this field.
- Teamwork and Collaboration Skills: Involves working with interdisciplinary groups of scientists, engineers, and policy experts and other collaboration skills.
- Commitment to Environmental Protection: A commitment towards environmental protection and sustainability drives force for many environmental lawyers.
- Educational requirements
- Environmental Science: Environmental science has a strong foundation in scientific principles highlighting environmental issues.
- Environmental Studies: These programs are multidisciplinary approaches to environmental issues, combining science, policy, and social sciences.
- Public Policy: A strong foundation for understanding the policymaking process also the role of law in environmental protection.
- Environmental Law Programs: Have very specialized environmental law programs that provide students with an understanding of environmental law and policy.
- Joint Degree Programs (JD/MS, JD/MBA): Joint degree programs in which students must earn a law degree (JD) with a master’s degree in environmental science, public policy, and business administration.
| College | Fees Structure |
| NLU Delhi | Rs 13,000 |
| NLU Trichy | Rs 80,000 |
| Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi Vishwavidayala | Rs 17,250 |
| School of Law UPES, Dehradun | Rs 2.58 Lakhs |
| Amity Law School | Rs 1.95 Lakhs |
Career Scope of Environmental Law in India
The scope of environmental law in India covers various aspects of environmental protection and conservation. Environmental law regulates the human impact on the environment, which includes pollution control, conservation of biodiversity and natural resources, and sustainable development. Environmental law in India provides a legal framework for the management and protection of the environment. It covers issues such as air and water pollution, hazardous waste management, climate change, biodiversity, and forest conservation. India has laws and regulations at the central and state levels with the legal framework for environmental protection
Diverse Career Opportunities in Environmental Law
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA is the primary federal agency that protects human health and the environment also offers career opportunities in several areas such as air quality regulation, water pollution control, and hazardous waste management.
- Department of Justice (DOJ): It enforces environmental laws and regulations, and manages cases including environmental crimes, pollution violations also natural resource protection.
- State and Local Government Agencies: These agencies regulate pollution, manage natural resources, and enforce environmental laws.
- Environmental Litigation: Environmental litigators present the clients in lawsuits and have environmental disputes like pollution cases, land use disputes, and natural resource conflicts.
- Environmental Regulatory Compliance: In this field businesses and organizations comply with environmental regulations, including pollution control, waste management, and hazardous materials handling.
- Environmental Advocacy Groups: Non-profit organizations dedicated to environmental protection hire attorneys to advocate for environmental policies, represent clients in environmental litigation, and educate the public about environmental issues.
- Conservation Organizations: They work to protect natural resources and wildlife. In these organizations, they focus on land conservation, endangered species protection, or sustainable resource management.
- Public Interest Law Firms: Public interest law firms provide legal services to individuals and groups that cannot afford private attorneys. Environmental public interest law firms focus on cases involving environmental justice, pollution control, and natural resource protection.
- Environmental Compliance: Corporate counsel in environmental law helps companies comply with environmental regulations, manage environmental risks, and develop sustainability initiatives.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Attorneys in this field work with companies to develop and implement sustainability strategies, including reducing carbon emissions, conserving energy, and promoting responsible waste management.
- Corporate Social Responsibility: Corporate social responsibility advises companies that integrate environmental and social considerations into their business practices and operations.
Case study
The writ petition filed by the activist advocate M.C. Mehta in the Supreme Court highlighted the pollution of the Ganga River by the hazardous industries located on its banks. Justice ES Venkataramiah gave a historic judgement in “M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India AIR 1988 SCR (2) 538” ordering the closure of many polluting tanneries near Kanpur. In this judgment, it was observed that just like an industry which cannot pay minimum wages to its workers cannot be allowed to exist, a tannery which cannot set up a primary treatment plant cannot be permitted to continue to be in existence.
Environmental law provides a broad range of job opportunities and high-paying salaries. Law students interested in specializing in environmental law can gain practical experience by working with NGOs, law firms, and companies by attending relevant courses, internships, and certifications. The need for environmental lawyers is more pressing today than ever before, and they play a crucial role in preserving the environment and promoting sustainable development.
