Stockholm Declaration on Human Environment 1972

5th to 16th June 1972: The UN Conference on Human Environment and Development at Stockholm in 1972 is considered to be the Magna Carta of Environmental Protection.

• Stockholm Declaration is the Magna Carta in Environmental law.
• It is foundation stone of International Environmental Law.
• Common Outlook and for common principles to inspire and guide the people of the world in the preservation and enhancement of the Human Environment.
• It was for the first time people of all countries came to deliberate seriously on an important issue of environmental protection.
• This conference adopted "Stockholm Declaration on Human Environment"

The Declaration besides premble, consists of Seven Universal Truth, and Twenty Six (26) principle. 

1.  Man is both creator and moulder of his environment which gives him physical sustenance and affords him opportunity for intellectual, moral, social and spiritual growth. Man has acquired the power to transform his environment in countless ways.
2. The protection and improvement of human environment is a major issue which affects the well being of people and economic development throughout the world.
3. Man has constantly to sum up experience and go on discovering, inventing, creating and advancing.
4. Man has special responsibility to safeguard and wisely manage the heritage of wildlife and its habitat. Nature Conservation, including wildlife, must receive importance in planning for economic development.
5. The discharge of toxic substances or of other substances and the release of heat, in such quantities or concentration as to exceed the capacity of environment must be halted to render them harmless. The just struggle of the people of all countries against pollution should be supported.
6. The economic and social development is essential for ensuring a favourable living and working environment for man and for creating conditions on earth that are necessary for the improvement of the quality of life.
7. Planning must be applied to human settlements and urbanization with a view to avoiding adverse effects on the environment and obtaining maximum social, economic and environmental benefits for all persons.
8. Man and his environment must be spared of the effects of nuclear weapons and all other means of mass destruction.

The Conference call upon governments and people to exert common efforts for the preservation and improvement of the human environment for the benefit of all the people and for their prosperity. Human environment is, thus, an environment relating to humanity and for the benefit of mankind in general.