Nature in the Crossfire: Protection of the Environment During Armed Conflict Through International Humanitarian Law
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Date
2025-06
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National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam
Abstract
Despite the increasing recognition of the environment as a victim of war, international humanitarian law (IHL) offers limited and fragmented protection to the environment during armed conflict. Provisions such as Article 35(3) and 55 of Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, and the ENMOD Convention of 1976, impose restrictions on warfare that causes environmental destruction, but they are either vague, poorly
enforced, or applicable only in narrow contexts. The absence of clear definitions, enforcement mechanisms, and applicability to non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) further complicates protection efforts. In an era of climate crisis and prolonged armed conflicts where ecological degradation often has long-term consequences for civilian populations, there is an urgent need to critically assess whether existing IHL
norms are sufficient to safeguard the environment
Description
Dissertation submitted to National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam
in partial fulfilment for award of the degree of
MASTER OF LAWS / ONE YEAR LL.M. DEGREE PROGRAMME
Submitted by
Himangshu Kalita,
UID: SM0224015