Right To Have a Safe and Clean Environment

This blog talks about a project presented by Law students at SGT University’s Synergy Tech Fest 2024. It seeks to raise awareness amongst citizens about the violation of their constitutional rights by a negligent government.

Problem Statement

The “Right to Have a Safe and Clean Environment” comes within the ambit of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. It empowers an individual to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) if they have any pollutants or garbage around their area. However, most individuals are not aware of their rights and have simply accepted the squalor that plagues urban India.

Our Idea

Our aim was to bring awareness among people about their environmental rights, which are essential for safeguarding public health and ensuring their well-being. When people have an idea about these rights, it encourages them to participate in public health initiatives (such as reducing air and water pollution and promoting sustainable practices, etc.) that protect individuals as well as the ecosystem.

Our Solution

• Visual Recording: We collected geo-tagged photos of nearby localities that were affected by garbage dumping, which was contributing to both land as well as water pollution. By these, we were able to create a visual record of that pollution.
• Interactive Game: We prepared a game that covered the basic questions related to pollution. It encouraged the students to indulge and get to know more about the project and the environmental issues therein. Rewards were given for answering the questions correctly, making it an interactive learning experience.
• Surveying: Additionally, we prepared an anonymous survey where data regarding pollution was collected from the students and teachers. The data was collected to understand which areas were facing major pollution and garbage disposal problems.

Future Plans

To strengthen our efforts in addressing the kinds of pollution faced and the problems thereto, we plan to collaborate with our Legal Aid Cell, which would assist us in getting help from local authorities. After notifying these authorities, we would ask them to conduct clean-up projects in that specific area. Therefore, our project not only raises awareness but also works towards the practice of long-term solutions.

Project Team:

• PI: Ms. Chippy
• Co-PIs: : Ms. Monica