In the 1970s, an oil company discovered a commercially viable oil field on the Nsia Delta and started oil production. In a 25-year period, there were reportedly 4,132 oil spills of about 3.2 million barrels of oil in Nsialand. The United Nations Environment Programme conducted an assessment of 100 different locations in Nsailand and found that the adverse environmental impacts of oil production in the region were severe. They estimated that it would take over 50 years for the natural environment in Nsailand and Nsia Delta to recover. This would also require several billions of pounds.

The Nsia Deltas soil is no longer viable for agriculture due to the continuous oil spills and waste discharge. These oil spills and waste discharge have also affected the quality of groundwater which was found to contain high levels of pollutants that are categorised as carcinogenic according to the World Health Organisation guidelines. These environmental harms have affected different aspects of the Nsia peoples lives. The depletion of natural resources necessary for physical and cultural survival, destruction and pollution of the traditional environment, social disruption, long-term negative health impacts have been the cause of migration of indigenous people.With reference to the case study, critically discuss the effectiveness of the relevant law relating to indigenous peoples rights with reference to environmental justice

Indigenous peoples ties to the environment are much more intense than is generally understood by decision-makers and they have strong spiritual attachments to places and their environmental attributes. However, as seen in the above-mentioned scenario, planning activities and commercial initiatives in modern nations usually serve the interest of the majority in the nation. Access to environmental resources, including oil, minerals, and genetic resources, has been the focus of conflict. Does this general trend influence the application of environmental justice?

As the majority interests are prioritised, indigenous perspectives are commonly ignored or misinterpreted. Indeed, they are often under recognised by government administrative bodies and in procedural environmental justice. What are the implications for indigenous people in terms of public participation in environmental decision-making?

This scenario is an example of conflicts related to the distribution of environmental benefits and burdens. Considering the details given in this scenario, you need to identify and discuss the key concepts and principles of environmental law