Constitutional Approach For Sustainable Development And The Role Of Human Rights Defenders

Abstract

This research paper explains how the sustainable development evolved in developing India since the inception of its constitution. The constitution envisages the philosophy of sustainable development along with several provisions starting from the preamble itself, the fundamental rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, the Fundamental Duties, V & VI Schedules, etc. which deal with the sustainable development. The human rights activists, social activists, judges, lawyers, etc. have contributed for the socio economic justice. The human rights defenders sacrificed everything including their lives for protecting environment, to prohibit exploitation of natural resources. Planting trees, preventing deforestation, excavation, fight against sand mafia, running various movements like, Narmada bachav Andolan, Chipko Movement, Aapiko movement, Hasdev Jungle Bachav andolan are some of the instances where the Human Rights defenders used constitutional philosophy and played their role for sustainable development. Many human rights activists were jailed and many of them faced brutalities for protecting environment after realizing that the environment protection is very important for the sustainable development. The role of Human Rights Defenders is remarkable for the sustainable development that has changed the government policies with the help of Public Interest Litigation.