Introduction to Special Issue on Indian Perspectives on Environmental Justice

Abstract

India's environmental-justice discourse is shaped by two inter-related factors: grassroots community stewardship and environmental judicial activism. Based on the inter-play between law and society, these factors have played an important role in mitigating some of the challenges of development and implementing a balanced approach between development and ecology. However, the relationship between law and society has witnessed challenges, especially since the onset of neoliberalism, where the state has been going forward with its policies of development-led growth in the garb of public welfare and the common good. These challenges are extremely detrimental for the environment and also pose risks amid increasing climate and disaster vulnerabilities such as air pollution, rising heatwaves, floods, and depletion of natural resources. Law and society must work in unison within the broader principles of constitutionalism and rule of law for ensuring environmental justice.