Vol. 12, Special Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Bipasha Bhowmick, Dr. Anjali Juyal and Dr. Hemu Rathore

Abstract:
India has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to environmental preservation and the sustainable management of resources over its extensive history. This commitment is deeply entrenched within India's constitutional framework and its international obligations, emphasizing the imperative need for environmental protection, conservation, and responsible resource utilization. Every Indian citizen is entrusted with the duty to safeguard and enhance the natural environment, encompassing forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife, and fostering empathy for all living beings. The aim of this study is to assess the current knowledge and practices among undergraduate students. The findings revealed that a staggering 95.45 percent of respondents lacked awareness of laws pertaining to environmental protection, while a mere 27.28 percent demonstrated familiarity with legislation concerning wildlife protection and the conservation of endangered species. The study recommends the integration of environmental laws into the undergraduate curriculum, enhanced enforcement of these regulations, revision of pollution prevention policies, adoption of comprehensive pollution control strategies, development of effective policies for prosecution and enforcement, alignment of environmental laws with international obligations, and the promotion of collaborative approaches to their enforcement.