Correct option is A
Introduction
· The Constitution of India is one of the few in the world that contains specific provisions for environmental protection, reflecting the nation's commitment to sustainable development.
· These provisions were largely strengthened through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, which integrated environmental ethics into the Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties.
· The legal framework ensures that the state acts as a trustee of natural resources, aiming to preserve biodiversity for present and future generations.
Information Booster
· Article 48 A was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, specifically mandating that "the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country."
· It serves as a constitutional guide for the government to frame environmental policies and legislation, such as the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
· This article places a "positive obligation" on the state to not only prevent pollution but to actively work towards the "improvement" of natural surroundings.
· Coupled with Article 51Ag, which is a Fundamental Duty for citizens, it creates a dual responsibility for both the government and the public to protect the ecological balance.
· High Courts and the Supreme Court frequently cite this article to justify judicial activism in environmental matters, treating it as a cornerstone of "Green Jurisprudence" in India.
Additional Knowledge
· Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty; however, the Judiciary has expanded its scope to include the "Right to a wholesome and clean environment" as an integral part of the right to live with dignity.
· Article 47 focuses on the duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health, which indirectly relates to environment-related health issues but does not explicitly mention forests or wildlife.
· Article 46 is concerned with the promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections, protecting them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.