INTRODUCTION:
Climate change is here, and it is here to stay. As in many different domains, the Building and Construction sector plays a crucial role in affecting the environmental balance. The construction sector is responsible for nearly 1/3 of energy process-related CO2 emissions, hence impacting the global environment. The energy use in buildings is only projected to increase in the upcoming decades and it is imperative that more sustainable practices in the design, construction, and operation of the built environment are to be adopted. However, through environmental architecture, buildings can be designed and constructed in a way that minimizes their environmental footprint by reducing energy consumption, promoting water efficiency, using sustainable building materials, and creating healthy indoor environments.
IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHITECTURE
The Environment (Protection) Act 1986 defines “environment” as, “water, air and land and the interrelationship which exists among and between water, air and land and human beings, other living creatures, plants, microorganism and property.” Architecture ia a domain which alters all these elements that are to be protected. Urbanization is continually exploiting resources from our surroundings, including water repository, tree coverage, eroding topsoil and ultimately, biodiversity. Architects and builders hence need to be responsible and employ sustainable and renewable approaches.
There are several guidelines governing environmental law and green legislations, rules and regulations that steer development towards responsible growth. The growing awareness regarding necessary measures to mitigate impact measures in the construction industry has led to the title of Environmental architecture, or, Green Architecture, which fosters sustainability and reduces negative impacts on the environment. It follows means of energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and waste reduction. It considers not just the procurement, but also up to the disseminating stage at the end of the building’s life. Architecture and Environment are involved in a dynamic interaction between the built and its surroundings.
The civilizations develop into Urban centers by impacting on ecosystems, and influences the residents, since time immemorial. Planners have approached these practical approaches in several ways ranging from usage of natural materials, infusing use of renewable energy sources, involving local skill and cultural experts, and most importantly, abiding by local bye-laws. Architects like Mae-Ling Lokko have attempted to deal with problems in constructive ways by recycling agricultural waste and biopolymer materials into so-called agro-waste into building materials. Such initiatives not only reduce problems such as grass root levels but are also beneficial to the environment in the long-run, and they don’t need any environmental law enforcement.
COMPLIANCE WITH PREVALENT ENVIRONMETAL LAW
While specific advancements have given rise to newer Environment laws coming into force, some rating systems are a passive way of addressing the environmental distress meted out by the construction industry. While many Environmental standards (BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and WELL, etc) encourage the design of environmentally sound buildings. These standards provide a measurable benchmark for sustainable design. They employ green technologies in construction practices. In many cases, the local governing authority takes the situation into their hands and ensures the implementation of undeniably environmentally friendly policies, such as some practices followed in the construction industry in Goa.
It makes every builder answerable to every tree he cuts, and there is no short cut to escape replenishing trees in the site that is being developed. Goa Act 6 of 2008, and the amendments incorporated up to September 2018, mandates permission from Forest department to cut trees, clause 18.1 mentions that if a tree requires to be felled at all, two trees have to be replanted, and clause 18.2 mandates that every plot of land should have at least one tree for every 100m2 of plot area and facilitate addition of new saplings wherever the ratio is not met.
ENLISTING RELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
ARTICLE 253 Art.253 of the Constitution empowers Parliament to create laws for anywhere in the country to be congruent with international standards expected to do less harm to the environmnet.
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (“Water Act”) & Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (“Air Act”)
- Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (“Forest Act”)
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (“Environment Act”)
- Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011 (“CRZ Notification”) Construction & Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016
CONCLUSION
For as long as men worshipped nature, there was no need of regulatons, standards or law. The advancements in technology distanced men from these roots and the trouble started to churn. Before long, one thing led to another issue, and as we are by now familiar with the Stockholm conference followed by India bringing about the 42nd amendment and including various articles in its constitution for the protection and preservation of the environment across the country, thus resulting in an observably responsible commitment addressing some of the issues of global scale. The Indian judiciary system opened the scope of fundamental rights in relation to the environment and livelihood. Now through these constitutional provisions citizens are very aware and conscious of their responsibility towards the protection of the environment.
SOURCES:
- Protection of Environment under the Indian Constitution
- https://www.lkouniv.ac.in/site/writereaddata/siteContent/202004120815045572karuna_S_kanaujiya_appl_e co_Constitution_and_enviroment.pdf
- https://www.uou.ac.in/sites/default/files/slm/EVS-602.pdf
- Construction Sector: What Does Environment Law Say? – Construction & Planning – Real Estate and Construction – India
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340933703_Environment_Sustainability_Lessons_from_History_ and_State_Action_Plan