NAVIGATING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: THE ROLE OF LAW AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN PROTECTING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
AUTHOR – SWAPNIL SRIVASTAVA* & NIKUNJ SINGH YADAV**
* STUDENT AT LAW COLLEGE DEHRADUN / UTTARANCHAL UNIVERSITY
** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT LAW COLLEGE DEHRADUN / UTTARANCHAL UNIVERSITY
BEST CITATION – SWAPNIL SRIVASTAVA & NIKUNJ SINGH YADAV, NAVIGATING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: THE ROLE OF LAW AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN PROTECTING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (10) OF 2025, PG. 186-194, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.
ABSTRACT
This research explores the critical intersection of environmental justice, legal frameworks, and community engagement in safeguarding vulnerable populations from environmental hazards while promoting sustainable development. It examines how laws at various governance levels serve as tools for protecting marginalized communities from environmental degradation, ensuring equitable access to natural resources, and enabling legal recourse against polluters. Furthermore, the study highlights the vital role that community engagement plays in sustainable development, showcasing how local knowledge, participatory governance, and grassroots advocacy contribute to resilience and equitable resource management. By incorporating interdisciplinary approaches and examining the interplay between policy, social movements, and economic factors, this research reveals how systemic inequalities can be addressed through targeted legal reforms. Through case studies and qualitative analysis, the research aims to identify best practices that empower communities and leverage legal protections to foster a more just and sustainable future. Ultimately, this work underscores the necessity of integrating legal frameworks and community initiatives to address environmental injustices and achieve sustainable development goals, advocating for a collaborative approach that prioritizes the voices and rights of vulnerable populations.
Key Words: Pollution, Marginalised Communities, Environmental Legislation, Sustainable Development