ENFORCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS IN INDIA
- sujeetkofficial
- May 1
- 2 min read
Executive Summary
This report highlights the pressing environmental challenges confronting India as a result of rapid population growth, unchecked urbanization, and industrial expansion. These developments have intensified issues such as air and water pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, placing India among the most environmentally vulnerable nations globally. With six of the world’s nine most polluted cities located within its borders and over 311 river stretches identified as critically polluted, the country’s environmental health is in a state of crisis.
Air pollution driven by coal dependency, vehicular emissions, and industrial activity continues to undermine public health and accelerate climate change. Similarly, water pollution, exacerbated by inadequate sewage treatment and mismanagement of critical river systems like the Ganga and Yamuna, remains a persistent concern. While legislative frameworks such as the Environmental Protection Act and institutions like the National Green Tribunal exist, this report finds that weak enforcement, bureaucratic delays, and central-state coordination failures significantly undermine their efficacy.
This report acknowledges that certain national initiatives, including the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the National Solar Mission, and Namami Gange, have yielded localized improvements. Moreover, judicial interventions and flagship conservation projects like Project Tiger have contributed meaningfully to environmental protection. However, these efforts remain fragmented and insufficient when viewed against the scale of environmental degradation.
To ensure long-term sustainability, this report recommends a systemic overhaul of environmental governance. This includes empowering Pollution Control Boards with punitive authority, introducing carbon pricing mechanisms, incentivizing clean technology adoption, and enhancing policy transparency through regular public reporting. Furthermore, regionally tailored public awareness campaigns and improved central-state coordination are essential to bridge the gap between law and implementation.
Ultimately, this report underscores the urgent need for holistic reforms, institutional strengthening, and active community participation to secure India’s environmental future.
Author: Himanshi Goswami
Read the report here:
Disclaimer:: The views, opinions and the data expressed in this report are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliated organization or institution
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