Hridyaa Singh & Siva Sreekumar, B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai
ABSTRACT
The Ganga and Yamuna rivers, once revered in India, now face severe pollution and degradation. In 2017, the Uttarakhand High Court granted them legal personhood, sparking both interest and debate. This paper explores the global context of environmental personhood through case studies like Te Urewera in New Zealand, the Whanganui River in New Zealand, the Atrato River in Colombia, and the Magpie River in Canada. It examines the complexities of legal personhood, including concerns about liability and the balance between human needs and environmental rights. The study discusses alternative approaches such as advisory councils and indigenous guardianship, offering insights into the evolving landscape of environmental governance. This paper seeks to shed light on the byzantine dynamics shaping the conservation of our natural resources.
Keywords: Ganga, Yamuna, Legal personhood, Environmental personhood, Uttarakhand High Court, Pollution, Degradation, Environmental conservation, Environmental governance.
