Ans. Administrative authorities are required to maintain a balance between the developmental activities and protection of the environment, and they are required to balance between the two through a reasoned decision. Absence of the same would be arbitrary and therefore liable for interference under Art.14 from the judiciary.

Ans. It is settled law through the decisions of Hon'ble Supreme Court in Raj Narain (1975), SP Gupta (1981) and finally in Onkar Lal Bajaj (2003) that right to information flows from freedom of speech and expression - democracy - informed electorate - continued participation of people.

Ans. Following are few of the examples of interference by Hon'ble Supreme Court in matters concerning environment:

Ans. ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT, 1986 Object: Prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution, laying down standards for quality of environment, laying down standards for emission of affluent/pollutants, restrictions of areas of location of industry, laying down procedures & safeguards for prevention of accidents, inspection of plants & industries, establishment of environmental laboratories, preparations of manuals, guides and codes for prevention of environmental pollution.

Ans. WATER (PREVENTION & CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT, 1974 Object: For prevention & control of water pollution and maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water. Prohibitions: Every individual shall abide by the aforesaid restrictions and directions, furnish information to the concerned authorities, permit entry & inspection by the officials. Further, water streams cannot be used for discharge of industrial waste/affluent.