India’s Environmental Challenges

Editorial Mar 7, 2025 Add to Reading List

The recent coal mining disaster in Assam’s Dima Hasao district highlights India’s ongoing struggle with illegal and hazardous mining practices, despite a 2014 ban on rat-hole mining by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The relentless demand for coal, particularly from industries such as cement manufacturing and thermal power plants, underscores the widening gap between environmental regulations and their effective enforcement. As India strives to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, the need for stringent oversight and policy reforms has never been more urgent.

Key Environmental Regulations in India
India has a comprehensive legal framework to safeguard its environment. The following are some of the key laws and constitutional provisions in place:

Constitutional Provisions

Article 48A - Directs the State to protect and improve the environment and conserve forests and wildlife.
Article 51A(g) - Places a fundamental duty on citizens to protect the environment and show compassion towards living beings.
Article 21 - The Supreme Court has interpreted the Right to Life to include the right to a clean and healthy environment (MC Mehta Case).

Pollution Control Laws

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: Regulates water pollution by monitoring effluent discharge and establishing Pollution Control Boards at the central and state levels.
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: Controls air pollution by regulating industrial and vehicular emissions.
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: A broad legislation empowering the central government to take measures for environmental conservation.
E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016: Ensures proper disposal and recycling of electronic waste under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.
Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016: Imposes restrictions on single-use plastics and mandates responsible waste disposal.

Forest and Wildlife Protection Laws

Indian Forest Act, 1927: Governs forest management and conservation, classifying forests into different categories for sustainable use.
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: Restricts the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes without government approval.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Establishes protected areas, including National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016: Mandates compensatory afforestation if forest land is diverted for developmental projects.
Biological Diversity Act, 2002: Safeguards India's biodiversity and regulates access to genetic resources.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Other Frameworks

EIA Notifications: Require projects with significant environmental impact to obtain clearance before execution, ensuring public consultation and mitigation plans.
National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act, 2010: Establishes a specialized tribunal to handle environmental disputes and ensure speedy resolutions.

Challenges in India's Environmental Regulations
Despite robust laws, India faces several obstacles in enforcing environmental regulations effectively:

Weak Enforcement

Regulatory bodies like the Central and State Pollution Control Boards (CPCB & SPCBs) suffer from understaffing, inadequate funding, and lack of accountability.
Many industries fail to meet environmental standards, causing severe pollution of air, water, and soil.
State pollution boards remain under-equipped despite surplus funds, limiting their ability to enforce compliance.

Development vs. Conservation Conflicts

Economic growth often takes precedence over environmental protection, leading to policy relaxations such as diluted EIA norms.
The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 has made it easier to divert forest land for infrastructure projects, weakening conservation efforts.
India ranks among the lowest in global environmental performance, reflecting a lag in policy implementation.

Limited Public Participation

Environmental decision-making often excludes local communities, particularly tribal populations who are disproportionately affected by developmental projects.
Public hearings under the EIA process are frequently bypassed, diminishing transparency.
Projects like the Hasdeo Arand mining initiative in Chhattisgarh continue despite opposition from indigenous communities.

Insufficient Use of Technology

Environmental monitoring still relies on manual inspections, reducing efficiency.
Advanced technologies like IoT sensors, satellite surveillance, and AI-driven analytics remain underutilized.
Only 476 out of 4,041 urban areas have real-time air quality monitoring stations, despite India's air quality consistently exceeding WHO limits.

Judicial Bottlenecks

While judicial intervention has played a vital role in environmental protection, excessive reliance on courts has led to delays.
Over 88,400 environmental cases are pending in Indian courts, stalling both conservation efforts and industrial development.

Strengthening Environmental Regulations
While Promoting Economic Growth To bridge the gap between environmental protection and economic progress, India must adopt a multi-faceted approach:

Enhancing Regulatory Enforcement

Empower pollution control boards with better funding, manpower, and digital tools for real-time monitoring.
Deploy AI-driven sensors for pollution tracking and drones for forest encroachment surveillance.
Implement independent audits and strict penalties for non-compliance.

Promoting Market-Based Solutions

Develop a domestic carbon credit trading market to encourage industries to adopt green technologies.
Strengthen the Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT) scheme and integrate it with the Green Credit Programme to drive energy efficiency.

Reforming the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process

Ensure transparent, evidence-based EIA procedures with active community participation.
Conduct cumulative impact assessments for multiple projects in ecologically sensitive areas.
Leverage digital platforms like PARIVESH for efficient environmental clearances without diluting norms.

Expanding Renewable Energy and Circular Economy Practices

Incentivize industries to shift towards solar, wind, and green hydrogen to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Mandate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for e-waste, plastics, and packaging materials to minimize pollution.

Strengthening Urban Sustainability Initiatives

Mandate minimum green cover percentages in urban planning to combat the urban heat island effect.
Integrate Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 with afforestation projects.
Enforce better waste management strategies to curb the rise of electronic and plastic waste.

Community-Led Conservation

Strengthen the Forest Rights Act, 2006 to empower indigenous communities in conservation efforts.
Expand Van Dhan Vikas Kendras to provide sustainable livelihoods while preserving biodiversity.
Invest in large-scale ecosystem restoration projects, such as reforestation and wetland revival, to enhance biodiversity.

Deploying Advanced Mining Surveillance

Utilize satellite imagery, drones, and GPS tracking for real-time monitoring of mining activities.
Establish automated alert systems to detect illegal mining hotspots and enable swift intervention.

Key Takeaways
India’s environmental challenges stem from weak enforcement, conflicting policy priorities, and insufficient community engagement. A balanced, technology-driven, and participatory approach is essential to ensure sustainable economic growth without compromising ecological well-being. Strengthening regulatory institutions, integrating market-based incentives, and fostering community involvement will be crucial in shaping India's environmental future. Only through proactive policy reforms can India align its development ambitions with its climate commitments and safeguard its natural heritage for future generations