Understanding Environmental Law
Environmental law, one of the dynamic realms of international law, is deemed as the most fascinating area of research and analysis for academicians and international law researchers. Since 1970s, this branch of international law has been expanding to protect environment. However, to delve into the realm of environmental law, it is requisite to grapple the national and international dimensions of this complex but dynamic subject. Only upon fulfilling this, the legal regime of environment can be used as tool to check the threat of environmental menace. In this respect, Professor Dr. Abdullah Al Faruque in'Environmental Law: Global and Bangladesh Context' contributes something of a novelty in legal scholarship. The book introduces readers a whiff of fresh analysis to brewing debates, developments and controversies concerning environmental law, both from Bangladesh and international law perspectives. The book is structured into 30 chapters and all these chapters are bucketed under the headings of five specific parts in a way that the readers get enabled to comprehend how international environmental law is evolving in comparison with how the laws of Bangladesh interacts with the international regime.
First part (chapters 1 to 4) sets the tone with a comprehensive introduction stating historical evolution, sources, and principles of environmental law. The introductory chapters start off with concise but clear understanding of the nature of environmental pollution; philosophical views of the environmental protection; understanding of 'common concerns of humankind' concept and overview of environmental justice. While the first part of the book is descriptive in nature, the preceding four parts of the book are embellished with author's insights and analysis. Second part (chapters 5 to 11) examines issues such as conservation of biodiversity, climate change, marine pollution, hazardous waste management and protection of ozone layer. Third part of the book (chapters 12 to 15) finely curves out some contemporary issues relating to protection of environment such as linkages of environment with human rights, trade and nuclear energy and corporate environmental accountability. Throughout the fourth part (chapters 16 to 20) various compliance mechanisms of environmental law at international and national level are brought under perusal. Part five (chapters 21 to 30) concentrates on legal and institutional framework on protection of environment in Bangladesh.
The book concludes with bibliography with a list of environment related treaties ratified by Bangladesh. It is pertinent to mention here that the book lacks a comprehensive index section. This deficit of index section creates bulwark for researchers to find a topic. A comprehensive index section would undoubtedly gilt-edge the book as treasure trove on issues of environmental law. However, this critical remark should not cloud the fact that the book commands and demands reverence.
The book is well researched and eloquently written by a distinguished international law professor of Bangladesh. Furthermore, the book's greatest strength lies in the amount of detail it provides in a systematic and concise manner. To the students of law and international relations, the book paves stepping stones for in-depth analysis of international environmental law.
The reviewer is a Lecturer of Law at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science &Technology University, Gopalganj.
Comments