Sustainable Development and Environmental Governance: The Role of Law in Balancing Growth and Ecological Protection

Author(s)	Dr. Sangeeta Thakur
Country	India
Abstract	India’s pursuit of rapid economic growth has raised complex legal challenges in balancing development with environmental protection amid accelerating industrialisation and urbanisation. Indian environmental law has responded by embedding sustainable development as a guiding principle through constitutional interpretation and statutory frameworks. This article analyses how courts, legislation, and governance mechanisms mediate between developmental imperatives and ecological concerns through landmark cases and environmental principles. It argues that while India’s environmental jurisprudence is conceptually progressive, its effectiveness ultimately depends on consistent and robust implementation.
Keywords	Sustainable Development, Environmental Governance, Indian Environmental Law, Right to Life (Article 21), Precautionary Principle, Polluter Pays Principle, Public Trust Doctrine, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Judicial Activism, National Green Tribunal, Public Interest Litigation (PIL), Intergenerational Equity, Environmental Justice, Economic Development, Regulatory Governance, Climate Change Litigation, Natural Resource Management, Industrialisation and Environment
Field	Sociology > Administration / Law / Management
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-12-28
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.64755

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