Q: Delineate international law on Transboundary Pollution ?

Ans:  Transboundary pollution is the pollution that originates in one country but is able to cause damage in another country's environment, by crossing borders through pathways like water or air. Pollution can be transported across hundreds and even thousands of kilometres. 

A nuclear accident occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine in 1986 had serious detrimental effects upon human health, property and the natural environment and damage was suffered not only in Ukraine itself, but in several countries.

Montreal protocol has promoted the principle of transboundary liability. The principle of transboundary liability plays a significant role in the area of international environmental law and governance. 

The Montreal Protocol was signed on 16th September,  1987. The Montreal Protocol, finalized in 1987, is a global agreement to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances

 The ozone layer filters out harmful ultraviolet radiation, which is associated with an increased prevalence of skin cancer and cataracts, reduced agricultural productivity, and disruption of marine ecosystems.

The principle of transboundary liability has been reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice in the year 1949. United Kingdom v. Albania, (1949) ICJ 4, well known as 'Corfu Channel Case'. In this case where the International Court of Justice held that under the international law, the Albania is found guilty and held responsible towards the explosions, which caused loss of life and damage. Every State is required to inform and notify other states of any harm and danger. If a State failed to notify another State of the said matter, the International Court of Justice shall imposed award to the injured State on the liability for failure to disclose information of the said that could have reduced danger and harm towards the other state.  Every state has its own transboundary liability. 

Keywords used : 

Cataract: मोतियाबिंद

Disruption: Disturbance 

Marine : relating to or found in the sea.

Ecosystem: An ecosystem is a structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment.

An ecosystem consists of all the organisms and the physical environment with which they interact. These biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows.