Environmental governance in India operates within a federal structure, where both the Centre and the States share responsibilities. The Constitution of India places environment-related subjects across the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List, creating an overlapping jurisdiction. While this distribution allows for cooperative governance, it often leads to tensions between the Centre and the … Read more
Environmental governance in India has undergone a remarkable transformation over the decades, and civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been at the forefront of this change. While governments formulate laws and institutions enforce them, civil society plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between policies and ground realities. NGOs bring technical … Read more
Environmental protection in India is not just a constitutional mandate but also an administrative necessity. As environmental issues became more complex with industrial growth, urbanization, and resource exploitation, the interplay between environmental law and administrative law emerged as a critical dimension of governance. While environmental law provides the substantive framework for protecting natural resources, administrative … Read more
Corporate activities play a crucial role in shaping the environmental future of a nation. While industries drive economic growth, they also contribute significantly to pollution, resource depletion, and ecological degradation. In India, the push for corporate accountability in environmental governance has intensified over the years, supported by legislative measures, judicial interventions, and increasing public awareness. … Read more
Environmental governance in India has historically been top-down, with state and central governments playing a dominant role in designing policies and regulations. However, with increasing recognition of the importance of community participation and grassroots involvement, decentralised environmental governance has emerged as a crucial approach. Panchayats and urban local bodies (ULBs) are now entrusted with responsibilities … Read more
Environmental challenges such as deforestation, air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change have grown rapidly in India due to industrialization and urbanization. Traditional legal mechanisms often failed to address these concerns effectively, leaving citizens and communities without adequate remedies. Against this backdrop, Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has emerged as a transformative tool in … Read more
India’s rapid industrialization and urban expansion have brought significant ecological challenges. To address these effectively, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. The NGT has emerged as a vital judicial body that ensures quick disposal of environmental cases, promotes accountability, and upholds citizens’ constitutional right to a clean … Read more
Environmental challenges in India have often outpaced legislative and administrative measures. In this vacuum, the Supreme Court of India has played a pivotal role through judicial activism, stepping in to protect natural resources and citizens’ right to a healthy environment. By interpreting Article 21 of the Constitution (Right to Life) broadly, the Court has transformed … Read more
India’s journey in environmental governance reflects the global evolution of ecological awareness and sustainable development. From the 1972 Stockholm Conference on Human Environment to the 2015 Paris Agreement, India has steadily built a robust framework of laws, policies, and institutions to address the growing environmental crisis. This evolution has been shaped by international commitments, judicial … Read more
The Supreme Court of India has played a transformative role in shaping environmental law and governance. Through its landmark judgments, the Court has expanded the scope of Article 21 of the Constitution (Right to Life) to include the Right to a Clean and Healthy Environment. These rulings not only compelled governments and industries to prioritize … Read more