Environmental Governance in India

Category: GS-2 (Polity, Statutory Bodies, Acts), GS-3 (Environment, Conservation, Environmental Governance)

1. Introduction

Environmental governance refers to the comprehensive framework of legal, institutional, policy, and participatory mechanisms used to manage environmental issues. India’s system is anchored in constitutional provisions, a wide array of environmental laws, executive policies, and judicial interventions.

It balances ecological sustainability with economic development. India is also a signatory to various international conventionsExamples: Paris Agreement, Convention on Biological Diversity, Ramsar Convention. influencing its domestic environmental policy.

2. Constitutional Provisions

• Article 48A: Directive Principle – “The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife of the country.”
• Article 51A(g): Fundamental duty – Every citizen must protect the environment and show compassion to living creatures.
• 7th Schedule: Environment features in all three listsUnion (e.g., international agreements), State (e.g., water, forests), Concurrent (e.g., pollution control)., allowing multiple levels of governance.
• Article 21: Right to life includes the right to a clean environment (as interpreted by the Supreme Court).

3. Major Environmental Laws

1. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: Parent umbrella legislation enabling the central government to take comprehensive measures for environmental protection.
2. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Establishes schedules for species protection; amended in 2022 to reduce redundancy and clarify categories.
3. Forest Conservation Act, 1980: Regulates diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes; compliance is monitored through Forest Advisory Committee.
4. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: Empowers boards to set standards and penalize violators.
5. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: One of India’s earliest environmental laws; establishes pollution control boards.
6. Biological Diversity Act, 2002: Aligns India with the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity), mandates benefit-sharing with local communities.

4. Important Institutions

• MoEFCC: Nodal ministry for framing national policies on forests, climate change, pollution control, and biodiversity.
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): Advises Central Government, coordinates with SPCBs, monitors pollution levels.
• National Biodiversity Authority (NBA): Implements Biological Diversity Act; ensures fair sharing of benefits from biodiversity use.
• National Green Tribunal (NGT): Statutory bodyEstablished under NGT Act, 2010; has powers of a civil court. to ensure expeditious disposal of environmental disputes.
• State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAA): Grant EC (Environmental Clearance) for Category B projects.

5. Key Policies & Programs

• National Environment Policy 2006: Emphasizes integration of environmental concerns in all development sectors.
• NAPCC: Eight missions, e.g., National Solar Mission, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture.
• SAPCCs: Tailored state-level climate action strategies aligned with NAPCC.
• CAMPA: Governs compensatory afforestation funds; meant for reforestation when forests are diverted.
• National Electric Mobility Mission & FAME: Encourage electric vehicles to reduce emissions.

6. Recent Initiatives (2023–2025)

• Green Credit Programme (2023): Assigns tradable credits for sustainable actions like afforestation and water conservation.
• Forest (Conservation) Rules 2022: Allow forest clearance without prior consent of Gram Sabhas; critics cite dilution of tribal rights.
• LiFE Movement: Launched by PM Modi at COP26; promotes “pro-planet” lifestyle at individual and community level.
• Mission LiFE + IBCA: Integrates climate and biodiversity actions into one framework.
• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Targets 20–30% reduction in PM2.5 by 2024 in 122 non-attainment cities.

7. Challenges & Issues

• Poor Implementation: SPCBs lack manpower, autonomy, and modern equipment.
• Judicial vs Executive Domain: NGT activism vs policy domain of elected government.
• Delay in Environmental Clearances vs pressure to fast-track infrastructure projects.
• Centralisation: Concerns over MoEFCC bypassing state & local bodies in forest and CRZ decisions.
• People’s Participation: Weak role of Gram SabhasEspecially in Scheduled Areas under PESA Act 1996. in forest rights and conservation.

8. Relevance for UPSC

• GS-2: Governance mechanisms, rights-based environmental frameworks, role of constitutional bodies.
• GS-3: Environmental laws, climate policy, sustainable growth vs ecological preservation.
• Prelims: Acts, dates, institutions, schemes, recent amendments.
• Essay: Environmental governance, judicial activism, intergenerational equity.
• Ethics: Environmental ethics, duty to future generations, Gandhian principles.

9. Interactive MCQs for Revision

10. Summary

• India’s environmental governance has evolved into a multilayered system integrating legal, administrative, and participatory approaches.
• Newer challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss demand integrated and inclusive policies like LiFE & Mission LiFE + IBCA.
• UPSC aspirants must link static knowledge with current developments for both Prelims and Mains.

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