A SOCIO-LEGAL STUDY ON ROLE OF

YOUTH IN ENHANCEMENT OF
BIODIVERSITY AND REDUCING WATER
CRISIS IN CHENNAI CITY.
Presented By -
JOHN RAJADURAI. P ANUJA MISHRA
Ph.D. Research Scholar (LAW)
Ph.D. Research Scholar,
Department of Public Policy, Law &
Department of Sociology,
Governance,
University of Madras, Chennai - 600005. Central University of Rajasthan

E-Mail: john.mkp@gmail.com Bandarsindri, Kishanagrh, Ajmer -

305817
Mobile No: +91 – 9841510072
E-Mail: mishra23anuja@gmail.com
Mobile No: +91 – 8441004957
 Youths- Quintessential for conservation of bio-diversity & handling water crisis

 Biological diversity & Water- Basic resource for dependency of human families,
communities, nations and future generations.

 Blind use of bio-diversity has led towards extinction of 95% of species which has
created an awful situation of environment pollution.

 Water issue can not be ignored at any rate because it is quintessential for survival of
human life.
 Human right to water has been a very important concept and important vehicle for
communities around the world
 Legal framework concerning water has been complemented by a human rights
dimension.

 In India, the fundamental right to water has been confirmed by the courts. The
right has been asserted on the basis of fundamental rights under the Constitution
(Articles 14, 15(2), 17 and Art. 21.

 Environment Protection Act, 1986 (Umbrella Legislation)

 Water (Prevention and control of Pollution )Act,1974 Which protects right to

water in a negative like water should not be polluted.
 • Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991): the right to life ‘includes the right of
enjoyment of pollution free water and air for full enjoyment of life’

 Narmada Bachao Andolan v. Union of India (2000): ‘Water is the basic need for the
survival of the human beings and is part of right of life and human rights as enshrined
in Article 21 of the Constitution of India’.

 • F.K. Hussain v. Union of India (1990): The right to life is much more than the right to
animal existence and its attributes are many fold, as life itself. A prioritization of human
needs and a new value system has been recognized in these areas. The right to sweet
water, and the right to free air, are attributes of the right to life, for, these are the basic
elements which sustain life itself.

 • Shajimon Joseph v. State of Kerala (2006): the government ‘is bound to provide
drinking water to the public’ and that this should be the foremost duty of the
government. Additionally, the judges ruled that the failure of the state to ‘provide safe
drinking water’ to citizens amounted to a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution.
Human actions have resulted in multiple changes on Chennai that often drive contemporary

biodiversity declines. In particular- land use changes, exotic species invasions, nutrient

enrichment, and climate change.

Only 2.5% of all the water in the world is fresh water. In that only 1% is accessible which is
trapped in glaciers and snow fields. There by the human and animal population has the real
access to 0.0007% of the planets water. The lack of drinkable water is a plague which affects
1.8 billion people every year.

Chennaiate have deeply altered the environment, and have modified the territory, exploiting the
species directly, for example by destroying the ecosystem and capturing it for the urban
development.
This study has selected YOUTHS living near waterbodies namely
Pallikarunai Marsh land (A Forest protected Area), Buckingham Canal
andAdayar River and waterbodies encroached and converted to residential
purposes such as Velachery, Perumbakkam, Medavakkam etc. Qualitative
methodhas been used for the study. For the purpose of this study, 40
Youths had been selected from each location who are actively involved in
conservation in a small scale. Water crisis management by the youth
residing in the above mentioned areas was measured using a variety of
methods to gain a better understanding of the situation, issues,
perspectives and priorities. Data collection methods included
document/literature review, semi-structured interviews, checklists and
observation.
People living near or in and around waterbodies and waterbodies
encroached and converted to residential areas.
Places: Prevalent water-bodies:Pallikarunai Marsh land (A Forest protected
Area), Buckingham Canal and Adayar River.
Water-bodies encroached and converted to residential areas: Velachery,
Perumbakkam, Medavakkam
 58% of the respondents stated that they hadn’t seen many migratory /
water birds,fishes.
 96% of the respondents never seen common sparrows or a mongoose for
more than a decade.
 98% of the respondents are directly affected by drinking water crisis either
from water bodies or from ground water.
 6% of the youth adopt small level rain water harvest complain about
presence of smell and carbon dust in the water.
 2% of the youths’ population never bother about the water crisis or
biodiversity damage.
 16% of the youth who are under below poverty zone complain about
unavailability of wood for fuel due to heavy deforestation thus
demolishing the biodiversity.
 100 % of the respondents never made arrangement in storing rain water
during December 2015 which caused flood in Chennai.
 100 % of the respondents complained of presence of saline and fluoride
like chemicals in the ground water.
 Young people can play an active role in protecting and improving the
environment. They can change their lifestyle and how it affects the
environment.
 They can make their homes, schools and youth organizations more
environmentally friendly by adopting environmentally friendly practices,
recycling of different materials as well as preserving resources such as
water and electricity.
 Engaging youth in environmental protection not only creates direct impact
on changing youth behaviours and attitudes, but possibly influence their
parents, relatives and families.
 youth can help reduce waste by paying attention to minor details in their
daily lives.
 By applying the greening knowledge at home and schools, we can help
to market city, a greener city.
 Youth have a role to play in environmental and conservation efforts that
will improve livelihoods.
 Start ups of charity, Funding and spreading the message by
youths.
 Using new technologies, rain-water harvesting and population
growth-control.
 Right to Water as a Fundamental right.
 Strict Implementation of Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act 1974 .
 Bio- Diversity Conservation.
 Waste- Management.
 Energy-Use by youths can bring a revolutionary change.
Thank you for your
Attention