ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTITUTIONALISM IN INDIA’S BLUE ECONOMY: INTEGRATING INTERNATIONAL NORMS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, AND HUMAN RIGHTS

The Blue Economy's rising significance characterizes an integral turning point in the
collaboration between technological innovation, trade liberalisation, and constitutional
governance. India's extensive coastline over 7,500 kilometres has progressed into critical center
for port-based development projects, foreign investment, and advancements in maritime
technology through the process of programs such as the Sagarmala. Global trade links,
development of technological platforms, and the flow of capital are all involvedly related to
these alterations. They strengthen India's maritime position internationally and stimulate
economic growth. The development of blue economy and the substantial coastal change have
placed hardship on the Indian Constitution's Articles 14, 19 (1) (g), and Article 21 which ensure
equality, sustenance, and environmental equity by disintegrating fishing communities,
deteriorating the environment, and constraining participatory governance. Additionally,
accelerated industrialization and development in technology along the shore pose a significant
threat to environmental protection and sustainable development, which have been established
as Directive Principles under Articles 48A and 51A(g). The paper examines whether
constitutionalism could operate as a moral check in the period of globalization in economy and
rapid advancement in technology. It analyses the imbalance that exists in coastal development
between corporate dominance, state sovereignty, and safeguarding of human rights.
Furthermore, it establishes the duties of India under international laws and regulations like the
UNDRIP, UNCLOS, ICCPR, and ICESCR, highlighting the inevitability of harmonizing
national principles of constitutionality with international obligations. The paper explores a
proposal for a rights-based, participatory governance strategy for Blue Economy projects
which mixes the community and environmental rights along with protections from the
constitution. In order to sustain the constitutional principles in the aspect of globalization, it is
vital to reinforce regulatory accountability, promise real interactions with coastal people, and
promote environmental sustainability. By realizing this, this paper adds to the broader
conversation about constitutional principles as a flexible and defending framework in the era
of technological progress and globalization, precisely when it deals with marine development
and coastal rights.
Keywords: Constitutionalism, Blue Economy, Globalisation, Coastal community Rights,
Human Rights, Environmental Justice, Port development.