Article 48A – Indian Constitution [Explanation]

This article is a compilation of Article 48A as it is. You can understand it well, that’s why its explanation is also given below, you must read it. Its explanation is also available in Hindi, for this you can use the link given below;

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📜 Article 48A

1[48A. Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life.—The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.] —————— 1. Ins. by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, s. 10 (w.e.f. 3-1-1977).

🔍 Explanation

 The literal meaning of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) is the principles that guide the policy of the  state .

When  the constitution  was framed, the people had  no experience of ruling in a democratic state and making laws in the interest of the country. Especially for the states that were about to take over after a long colonial period.

As we know that   it is not mandatory for politicians in our country to be educated . In such a situation, a guide becomes necessary so that the policy makers always know which way to go.

◾ It was not that DPSP was a new idea but   it was already working in Ireland and we took it from there.

◾ The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are the guidelines for making laws and policies for the welfare and development of the citizens. These are included in Part IV of the Indian Constitution.

These principles are non-enforceable, meaning they are not enforceable by the courts, however, are considered fundamental in the governance of the country and must be taken into account by the government while formulating laws and policies.

Overall, policy-directive elements are those elements of democratic and constitutional development whose objective is to establish a public-welfare state.

Classification of DPSP — Below you can see the classification of Directive Principles. This will make it easier for you to understand why the articles you are reading have been included in the DPSP and for what purposes it has been targeted.

Principles	Articles
Socialist	⚫ Article 38 ⚫ Article 39 ⚫ Article 39A ⚫ Article 41 ⚫ Article 42 ⚫ Article 43 ⚫ Article 43A ⚫ Article 47
Gandhian	⚫ Article 40 ⚫ Article 43 ⚫ Article 43B ⚫ Article 46 ⚫ Article 48
Liberal intellectual	⚫ Article 44 ⚫ Article 45 ⚫ Article 48 ⚫ Article 48A ⚫ Article 49 ⚫ Article 50 ⚫ Article 51

Apart from this, the directive elements can also be seen by dividing them into the following groups;

Welfare State Article 38 (1 and 2), Article 39 (B and C), Article 39A, Article 41, Article 42, Article 43, Article 43A and Article 47 are kept in the Policy Directive Principles of this group.

Equality of Dignity & Opportunity Articles 40, 41, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 and 50 are kept in the policy directive elements of this group.

individual ‘s rights Articles 39A, 41, 42, 43, 45 and 47 are kept in the Policy Directive Principles of this group.

Article 36 to Article 51 comes under Part 4 of the Constitution. In this article we are going to understand section 48A ;

⚫ Article-34 – Indian Constitution

⚫ Article-35 – Indian Constitution

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| Article 48A – Protection and improvement of environment and protection of forests and wild life

Article 48A was inserted in DPSP with the help of 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act. Under Article 48A, the state shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.

There are mainly two functions under this directive; First – protection and promotion of the environment of the country. And second – efforts to protect forests and wildlife.

First – Protection and improvement of the country’s environment.

India’s environment is diverse and includes a wide range of ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, grasslands and coastal areas. However, the country is facing a number of environmental challenges including air and water pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change.

Air pollution is a major problem in India, with many cities experiencing high levels of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. This is largely due to the burning of fossil fuels, industrial emissions and the use of biomass for cooking and heating.

Water pollution is also a significant problem in India, with many rivers, lakes and groundwater sources contaminated with pollutants such as sewage, industrial waste and agricultural chemicals.

Deforestation is another major environmental concern in India, with large areas of forest being cleared for agriculture, logging and urban development. This has resulted in loss of biodiversity, as well as soil erosion and decreased water availability.

Climate change is also a major concern for India, as the country is highly vulnerable to its effects, such as sea level rise, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and decreased agricultural productivity.

To address these challenges, the Government of India has implemented several policies and programs aimed at protecting and improving the country’s environment. These include measures to reduce air and water pollution, conserve forests and biodiversity, promote clean energy, and adapt to the effects of climate change.

◾ National Forest Policy (1988): The objective of this policy is to conserve and protect forests and wildlife and ensure the ecological balance of the country.

◾ National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016): The plan aims to conserve and protect wildlife and their habitats in the country.

◾ National Green Tribunal (2010): It is a special court set up to hear cases related to environmental issues and enforce laws related to the protection of the environment.

◾ National Clean Energy Fund (2010): The objective of this fund is to promote the use of clean energy and reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.

◾ National River Conservation Plan (1995): The objective of this plan is to improve the water quality of the country’s rivers and protect them from pollution.

◾ National Coastal Zone Management Plan (2011): The plan aims to protect and conserve the country’s coastal areas and their ecosystems.

◾ National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008): This plan outlines the country’s strategy to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

◾ National Clean Air Program (2019): The program aims to reduce air pollution and improve air quality in the country.

◾ National Biodiversity Act (2002): The Act aims to protect and preserve the country’s biodiversity and its uses.

◾ National Water Framework Act (2017): The objective of this law is to ensure the conservation, protection and management of water resources in the country.

◾ National E-waste Management (2016): The objective of this rule is to manage and dispose of electronic waste in an environment-friendly manner.

These are just a few examples, and the Government of India is constantly updating and implementing new policies to protect and improve the country’s environment.

Second Efforts to protect forests and wildlife .

India is home to a wide variety of forests and wildlife. The country’s forests cover about 21.34% of its total land area and are classified into several types, including tropical evergreen forests, tropical deciduous forests, and mangroves. These forests are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including many that are found only in India.

India’s wildlife is also diverse and includes a wide variety of species, such as the Bengal tiger, the Asian elephant, the Indian rhinoceros, the snow leopard, and several species of deer, antelope, and primates. India is also home to many species of birds, reptiles and amphibians, as well as a wide variety of fish and invertebrates.

However, despite the country’s rich biodiversity, many of India’s forests and wildlife are under threat. Deforestation, habitat loss, and poaching are all major threats to India’s forests and wildlife. Climate change is also a concern, as it is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s ecosystems and the species that depend on them.

To protect and conserve India’s forests and wildlife, the Government of India has implemented several policies and programs, which you can see below;

◾ Forest Conservation Act (1980): This act regulates the conversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes and aims to preserve and protect the country’s forests.

◾ Wildlife Protection Act (1972): This Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants and establishes protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

◾ Project Tiger (1973): It is a major conservation program launched to protect and conserve the Bengal tiger and its habitat.

◾ Project Elephant (1992): This is a program aimed at protecting and conserving the Asian elephant and its habitat.

◾ National Forest Policy (1988): The objective of this policy is to conserve and protect forests and wildlife and ensure the ecological balance of the country.

◾ National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016): The plan aims to conserve and protect wildlife and their habitats in the country.

◾ The Forest Survey of India (1981): It is an organization that conducts regular surveys to assess the health of the country’s forests and monitor changes in forest cover.

◾ Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (1988): It is a national organization that conducts research on forestry and wildlife conservation and provides education and training in these areas.

◾ National Biodiversity Act (2002): The Act aims to protect and preserve the country’s biodiversity and its uses.

◾ National Green Tribunal (2010): It is a special court set up to hear cases related to environmental issues, including cases related to the protection of forests and wildlife.

So we understood about some of the laws and organizations that are working in the field of forest and wildlife conservation. With the objective of giving effect to Article 48A, the Government of India is constantly updating and implementing policies to protect and conserve the forests and wildlife of the country.

So overall this is Article 48A, I hope you have understood. To understand other article, you can use the link given below.

| Related Article

Hindi Articles	English Articles
⚫ अनुच्छेद 47 ⚫ अनुच्छेद 49	⚫ Article 47 ⚫ Article 49

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Disclaimer - The articles and their interpretations presented here are based on the original Constitution (latest edition), DD Basu's commentary on the Constitution (mainly) and various scholars of the Constitution (whose writings are available in newspapers, magazines and audio-visuals on the Internet). We have just tried to make it interesting and easy to understand.