🌍 Environmental Law in India: Protection, Challenges & The Road Ahead
Environmental protection is not just a policy choice in India – it is a constitutional duty . The Constitution clearly states that: The State must protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. Every citizen has a duty to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife. Over time, this commitment has been supported by a wide framework of laws, rules and regulations , backed by both national and international efforts. 1. How Environmental Law Evolved in India The institutional journey in India began with the creation of the Department of Environment in 1980, which later became the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in 1985. A major turning point was the Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) , after which the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA) was enacted. This is often called an “umbrella legislation” because it fills gaps in earlier laws and provides broad powers to the Central Government to protect ...