Introduction

Environmental Law could be defined as the legal mechanism including the principles,
directives, policies and regulations, brought into existence by various local, national or
international entities for the purpose of preserving and safeguarding the environment
so that it could be made suitable for the present as well as the future generation. [ 1 ]

As per the Black’s Law Dictionary, environmental law could be defined

as, “collective body of rules and regulations, orders and statutes, constraints
and allowances that are all concerned with the maintenance and protection of
the natural environment of a country”.

As per the definition of the Free Legal Dictionary, “environmental Law

is, “an amalgam of state and federal statutes, regulations, and common-law
principles covering Air Pollution, Water Pollution, hazardous waste, the
wilderness, and endangered wildlife”.

Importance

The Stockholm Conference, also known as the United Nations Conference on

the Human Environment, was a landmark event in the history of
environmentalism. The conference was held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972,
and it was the first international meeting to address environmental issues on
a global scale.

The Stockholm Conference was important for several reasons. Firstly, it

helped to establish environmentalism as a global concern, and it raised
awareness about the impact of human activities on the natural world. Prior to
the conference, there was limited awareness about environmental issues,
and many people believed that human activities had little impact on the
environment.

Secondly, the Stockholm Conference helped to establish the framework for

international environmental law and policy. The conference resulted in the
creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which was
tasked with promoting international cooperation on environmental issues.
The conference also led to the adoption of the Stockholm Declaration, which
set out the principles for environmental protection and sustainable
development.
Finally, the Stockholm Conference was significant because it established a
precedent for future international environmental conferences and
agreements. The conference demonstrated that it was possible for countries
with different economic and political systems to come together to address
global environmental issues.

In summary, the Stockholm Conference was a pivotal moment in the history

of environmentalism. It helped to raise awareness about environmental
issues, establish the framework for international environmental law and
policy, and set the precedent for future international environmental
agreements.

Impact

The Stockholm Conference, held in 1972, had a significant impact on

environmental policies in India. Prior to the conference, there was limited
awareness about environmental issues in India, and the country did not have
a formal environmental regulatory framework.

The Stockholm Conference helped to raise awareness about environmental

issues in India, and it played a key role in catalyzing the country's efforts to
develop a comprehensive environmental regulatory framework. Following the
conference, the Indian government created the Department of Environment
and Forests, which was responsible for developing and implementing
environmental policies and regulations. The Indian parliament also passed
the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Air (Prevention
and Control of Pollution) Act in 1974, which provided a legal framework for
addressing pollution in India.

The impact of the Stockholm Conference on India's environmental policies

can also be seen in the country's efforts to address issues such as
deforestation, wildlife conservation, and climate change. India has
established a network of protected areas, including national parks and
wildlife reserves, to protect the country's biodiversity. The country has also
launched several initiatives to promote renewable energy and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
Overall, the Stockholm Conference played a critical role in raising awareness
about environmental issues in India and catalyzing the country's efforts to
develop a comprehensive environmental regulatory framework. The
conference helped to establish a global consensus on the need to protect the
environment, and its impact continues to be felt in India and around the
world today.

Conclusion
This is how development of International, as well as Indian Environmental
Law, took place with the passage of time and a major role was played by the
conference of Stockholm only for both International as well as Indian
Environmental Law. The Stockholm conference, which gave birth to the
Stockholm declaration proved to be an igniting point for generating
awareness all over the world for environmental concerns. This is the reason
that history of Indian Environmental Law is also divided into two parts, i.e.,
pre-Stockholm period and post-Stockholm period as the major developments
could be observed in the post-Stockholm period only. Recognition of right to
pollution free environment as part of fundamental right under Article 21 of
the constitution, various rulings and observations of the Supreme Court in
various matters pertaining to the environmental pollution and degradation
and introduction of various enactments for the protection of various subjects
of environment are abundantly doing the needful.

References
- Ipleader
- Legalservices