Climate Justice and Environmental Equity — Amendments

Amendment	Year	Description	Impact
42nd Amendment Act	1976	This amendment inserted Article 48A, a Directive Principle of State Policy, mandating the State to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife. It also added Article 51A(g), making it a fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment.	Significantly strengthened the constitutional basis for environmental protection, shifting it from a mere policy concern to a constitutional mandate and a fundamental duty. It provided a guiding framework for subsequent environmental legislation and judicial interpretation, indirectly bolstering the grounds for environmental equity and justice.
73rd Amendment Act	1992	This amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and inserted Article 243G, empowering Panchayats to prepare plans for economic development and social justice, including subjects related to environmental protection, water management, and sanitation.	Decentralized environmental governance, enabling local communities to participate in decision-making regarding natural resources and environmental management. This is crucial for procedural justice, ensuring that local concerns and traditional knowledge are integrated into environmental planning and climate adaptation strategies at the grassroots level.
74th Amendment Act	1992	This amendment gave constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and included functions related to urban planning, regulation of land use, water supply, public health, sanitation, and solid waste management in the Twelfth Schedule.	Empowered urban local bodies to manage environmental services and infrastructure, which is vital for addressing urban environmental equity issues such as waste management, air pollution, and access to clean water and sanitation in informal settlements. It provides a framework for local climate action and adaptation in urban areas.