Question

• Some countries have given rivers the same rights as people. Imagine if a tree could say, “Don’t cut me down!” In New Zealand, the Whanganui River is legally treated as a living being. Costa Rica, too, protects Nature’s rights in its Constitution.
• In 2017, the Uttarakhand High Court declared the rivers Ganga and Yamuna as legal entities, giving them the rights of a living person. The Court also appointed legal guardians responsible for protecting and conserving the rivers. However, this decision was suspended and ultimately overturned by the Supreme Court of India, who called it ‘legally unsustainable’. Why do you think some people want to give nature (like rivers and forests) legal rights, just like humans? How could this help protect the environment?

Answer 1

Some people believe that nature should be given legal rights to ensure better protection of the environment. This could include rivers, forests, mountains, and other natural resources being recognised as legal entities that can be represented in courts through appointed guardians.

Giving legal rights to nature can have several benefits:

• Stronger Legal Protection: If nature has legal rights, citizens and organisations can take legal action when rivers, forests, or other natural resources are harmed or polluted.
• Greater Accountability: Industries, companies, or individuals that damage the environment can be held legally responsible for their actions.
• Recognition of Nature’s Value: It recognises that nature is valuable not only because humans depend on it, but also because ecosystems are important in their own right.
• Better Conservation: Legal protection can encourage governments and communities to adopt sustainable practices and protect natural resources for future generations.
• Protection for Future Generations: Healthy forests, rivers, and ecosystems are essential for the well-being of future generations. Stronger legal protection can help preserve them for the long term.

Although the Supreme Court later overturned the Uttarakhand High Court's decision concerning the legal personhood of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, the discussion remains important. It shows the growing need for new and effective ways to protect nature and address environmental challenges.