Environment - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition environment

Definition :

Environment, includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship which exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and property. [National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995, s. 2 (d)]

The word 'environment' is of broad spectrum which brings within its ambit 'hygienic atmosphere and ecological balance'. It is, therefore, not only the duty of the State but also the duty of every citizen to maintain hygienic environment, Virender Gaur v. State of Haryana, (1995) 2 SCC 577 (580). (Constitu-tion of India, Art. 21)

Its normal meaning relates to the surroundings, but obviously that is a concept which is relatable to whatever object it is which is surrounded. It is a polycentric and multifaceted problem affecting the human existence, T.N. Gadavarman Thirmaplad v. Union of India, (2002) 10 SCC 606 (618): AIR 2003 SC 724. [Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, s. 2(a)]

'Environment' includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship which exists among and between water, air and land and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and property. [Employment of Manual Scavangers and Construc-tion of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 (46 of 1993), s. 2(d); Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), s. 2 (a)]

As the combination of elements whose complex inter-relationships make up the settings, the surroundings and the conditions of life of the individual and of society as they are and as they are felt, Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board v. C. Kenchappa, (2006) 6 SCC 371.