• Vidya A R
• Dr Shyam Lal

The environment constitutes the physical and biological systems, air, water, and soil, whose interaction sustains ecological balance and supports all forms of life. In recent decades, this balance has been severely disrupted by the excessive and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, technological advancement, and population growth. Environmental degradation has emerged as a critical global concern, posing a direct threat to human survival, ecological stability, and sustainable development. The misuse and overuse of environmental resources have resulted in widespread pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, climate change, and the depletion of natural ecosystems. Air pollution, in particular, represents one of the most severe consequences of ecological imbalance. According to the State of Global Air Report 2023, air pollution caused approximately 6.7 million deaths worldwide, with India alone accounting for over 1.6 million fatalities. Water pollution from industrial effluents, sewage discharge, and oil spills has contaminated rivers, lakes, and oceans, severely affecting aquatic life and human health. Similarly, land degradation through erosion, chemical contamination, and unsustainable agricultural practices has compromised food security and soil fertility. Man-made disasters such as the Bhopal gas tragedy and the Chernobyl nuclear accident further illustrate the catastrophic consequences of technological interventions without adequate environmental safeguards. Environmental degradation significantly impacts public health by increasing vulnerability to respiratory diseases, waterborne illnesses, and pandemics, disproportionately affecting marginalized and resource-poor communities. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the interlinkage between environmental conditions and public health resilience. Addressing environmental degradation therefore requires strengthening environmental and health governance, adopting sustainable development practices, and fostering global cooperation. Public interest litigation in the areas of environmental protection has a great impact in maintaining ecological sustainability, fundamental to safeguarding human rights, public health, and intergenerational equity.

Environmental degradation, sustainability, marginalized sections, Constitution, Public interest litigation

"Impact of Public Interest Litigation on environmental justice in India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 12, page no.d616-d635, December-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2512375.pdf

"Impact of Public Interest Litigation on environmental justice in India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 12, page no. ppd616-d635, December-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2512375.pdf