RECENT TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENT IN RESEARCH (Edition-II) (ISBN: 978-93-49468-00-9)

Environmental Governance and Sustainability Challenges in India

Author: Dr. Debansu Chatterjee, Dr. Debasri Dey, Dr. Moumita Saha, Dr. Manish Mittal & Ms. Simran Sheikh

Environmental degradation has emerged as one of the most critical challenges confronting India in the twenty-first century. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population growth have exerted unprecedented pressure on natural resources, leading to air and water pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change impacts (IPCC, 2021; UNEP, 2022). This chapter examines the major environmental challenges in India and evaluates the constitutional, legal, and policy frameworks designed to address them. Drawing upon recent literature (2020–2025), the chapter highlights gaps in policy implementation, weak enforcement mechanisms, and limited public participation (MoEFCC, 2022). It further explores case studies such as air pollution in Delhi and river pollution in the Ganga basin to illustrate real-world implications. The chapter argues for a multidimensional and integrated approach to environmental governance, combining institutional strengthening, technological innovation, and community engagement. It concludes that sustainable environmental management in India requires collaborative efforts among government, industry, and civil society to achieve long-term ecological balance and inclusive development (World Bank, 2023).

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