Title: A Critical Legal Study On The Growth Of Green Infrastructure In India With Special Reference To The Indian States Of Maharashtra And Kerala
Título: Un estudio jurídico crítico sobre el crecimiento de la infraestructura verde en La India, con especial referencia a los estados indios de Maharashtra y Kerala
Autor: Mr. Prashant Kumar Tiwari, PhD Scholar – Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, India
Autor: Dr. Jagadeesh Chandra TG, Assistant Professor of Law and Former Registrar (I/c), Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, India
Fecha de recepción: 23/10/2025
Fecha de aceptación: 29/10/2025
Fecha de modificación: 17/11/2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56398/ajacieda.00457
Documento completo: “A Critical Legal Study On The Growth Of Green Infrastructure In India With Special Reference To The Indian States Of Maharashtra And Kerala”
Abstract:
The growth of green infrastructure in India is increasingly driven by environmental sustainability goals, urbanization challenges, and climate resilience needs. However, the legal and regulatory framework governing green infrastructure remains complex, evolving, and often fragmented. This study critically examines the legal landscape shaping green infrastructure development in India, assessing policy effectiveness, regulatory challenges, and enforcement mechanisms. Key legislations, including the Environment Protection Act (1986), the National Green Tribunal Act (2010), and policies under the Smart Cities Mission, provide a foundation for green infrastructure initiatives. Additionally, climate commitments under international frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement, influence India’s legal approach to sustainable urban planning. However, gaps in implementation, jurisdictional overlaps, and regulatory inconsistencies hinder progress. Land acquisition laws, environmental clearances, and public-private partnership (PPP) models also play a crucial role in green infrastructure expansion. Legal disputes over environmental impact assessments (EIAs), inadequate enforcement of sustainability standards, and challenges in balancing development with conservation highlight systemic weaknesses in the current framework. Moreover, judicial interventions by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court have significantly shaped green infrastructure policies, setting legal precedents for sustainable urban growth.
This study explores the role of corporate governance in financing green infrastructure, particularly through green bonds, ESG investments, and sustainable finance mechanisms. Legal challenges surrounding compliance, accountability, and corporate responsibility further complicate large-scale green infrastructure projects. By critically analyzing legal frameworks, policy gaps, and enforcement challenges, this research highlights the need for stronger regulatory coherence, stakeholder engagement, and judicial oversight. Strengthening legal mechanisms, streamlining regulations, and integrating sustainability into urban planning laws are essential for fostering resilient and inclusive green infrastructure in India. This study underscores the necessity of legal reforms to ensure sustainable, equitable, and legally sound infrastructure development.
Resumen:
El crecimiento de la infraestructura verde en India está cada vez más impulsado por los objetivos de sostenibilidad ambiental, los desafíos de la urbanización y las necesidades de resiliencia climática. Sin embargo, el marco legal y regulatorio que rige la infraestructura verde sigue siendo complejo, cambiante y, a menudo, fragmentado. Este estudio examina críticamente el panorama legal que configura el desarrollo de la infraestructura verde en India, evaluando la eficacia de las políticas, los desafíos regulatorios y los mecanismos de aplicación. Legislaciones clave, como la Ley de Protección Ambiental (1986), la Ley del Tribunal Verde Nacional (2010) y las políticas de la Misión de Ciudades Inteligentes, sientan las bases para las iniciativas de infraestructura verde. Además, los compromisos climáticos asumidos en el marco internacional, como el Acuerdo de París, influyen en el enfoque legal de India para la planificación urbana sostenible. Sin embargo, las deficiencias en la implementación, las superposiciones jurisdiccionales y las inconsistencias regulatorias obstaculizan el progreso. Las leyes de adquisición de tierras, las autorizaciones ambientales y los modelos de asociación público-privada (APP) también desempeñan un papel crucial en la expansión de la infraestructura verde. Las disputas legales sobre las evaluaciones de impacto ambiental (EIA), la aplicación inadecuada de las normas de sostenibilidad y los desafíos para equilibrar el desarrollo con la conservación ponen de relieve las debilidades sistémicas del marco actual. Además, las intervenciones judiciales del Tribunal Nacional Verde (NGT) y la Corte Suprema han moldeado significativamente las políticas de infraestructura verde, sentando precedentes legales para el crecimiento urbano sostenible.
Este estudio explora el papel del gobierno corporativo en la financiación de infraestructura verde, en particular a través de bonos verdes, inversiones ESG y mecanismos de financiación sostenible. Los desafíos legales en torno al cumplimiento normativo, la rendición de cuentas y la responsabilidad corporativa complican aún más los proyectos de infraestructura verde a gran escala. Mediante un análisis crítico de los marcos legales, las lagunas políticas y los desafíos de aplicación, esta investigación destaca la necesidad de una mayor coherencia regulatoria, la participación de las partes interesadas y la supervisión judicial. El fortalecimiento de los mecanismos legales, la simplificación de las regulaciones y la integración de la sostenibilidad en las leyes de planificación urbana son esenciales para fomentar una infraestructura verde resiliente e inclusiva en la India. Este estudio subraya la necesidad de reformas legales para garantizar un desarrollo de infraestructura sostenible, equitativo y jurídicamente sólido.
Keywords: Green Infrastructure. Environmental Sustainability. Legal Framework. Regulatory Challenges. Policy Gaps. Urban Planning. Environmental Impact Assessment. National Green Tribunal. Sustainable Finance. Corporate Governance.
Palabras clave: Infraestructura verde. Sostenibilidad ambiental. Marco legal. Desafíos regulatorios. Lagunas políticas. Planificación urbana. Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental. Tribunal Verde Nacional. Finanzas sostenibles. Gobernanza corporativa.
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Historical Overview Of Green Infrastructure Policies In India
Pre-1990 Era: Laying the Legal Foundation
Post-1990: Emergence of Green Infrastructure-Specific Policies
Recent Years: State-Level and Urban Green Infrastructure Initiatives
Toward a Greener Future
3. Key Green Infrastructure Laws In India
Legislative Frameworks Governing Green Infrastructure in India
The Environment Protection Act, 1986: A Foundation for Green Infrastructure Promotion
The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010: Strengthening Legal Enforcement
The Biodiversity Act, 2002: Protecting Ecological Corridors
The Forest Rights Act, 2006: Balancing Conservation with Livelihoods
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016: Expanding Green Spaces
State-Level Initiatives: Strengthening Local Green Infrastructure Governance
A Holistic Legal Framework for Green Infrastructure Development
4. Impact Assessment Of Green Infrastructure Laws
The Impact of Green Infrastructure (GI) Laws in India: Environmental, Social, and Legal Dimensions
Environmental Impact: Enhancing Sustainability and Resilience
Social Impact: Improving Public Health and Community Well-being
Legal Impact: Strengthening Environmental Governance
Challenges and the Way Forward
Multi-Dimensional Impact with Scope for Improvement
5. Legal And Institutional Challenges
6. Comparative Analysis With Global Best Practices
The United States: Green Infrastructure for Stormwater Management and Pollution Control
The European Union: Green Infrastructure for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Singapore: Financial Incentives for Rooftop and Vertical Gardens
Australia: Green Infrastructure for Water Management and Climate Resilience
Canada: Green Infrastructure for Climate Adaptation and Resilience
7. Case Studies Of Projects In India
Green Infrastructure Projects in India: Demonstrating Policy Effectiveness
Delhi’s Green Belt Initiative: Combating Air Pollution and Enhancing Urban Greenery
Mumbai’s Mangrove Conservation: Protecting Coastal Ecosystems
Chennai’s Stormwater Management Project: Mitigating Urban Flooding
Pune’s Urban Forestry Project: Promoting Sustainable Urban Development
Hyderabad’s Lake Revitalization Project: Restoring Ecosystem Health
Bengaluru’s Green Roof and Vertical Garden Initiative: Enhancing Urban Sustainability
The Need for Scaling Up Green Infrastructure Projects
A Model for Sustainable Development
8. Structural Analysis Of State And Urban Policy Initiatives In The Indian State Of Maharashtra And Kerala
9. Economic And Social Impacts Of Green Infrastructure
10. Technological Integration In Green Infrastructure Implementation
11. Recommendations For Strengthening Green Infrastructure Laws In India
12. Conclusion
13. References And Bibliography
Tabla de contenido:
1. Introducción
2. Panorama histórico de las políticas de infraestructura verde en La India
La era anterior a 1990: sentando las bases legales
Después de 1990: Surgimiento de políticas específicas para las IG
Años recientes: Iniciativas de IG a nivel estatal y urbano
Hacia un futuro más verde
3. Leyes clave de infraestructura verde en La India
Marcos legislativos que regulan la infraestructura verde en la India
Ley de Protección del Medio Ambiente de 1986: Una base para la promoción de las indicaciones geográficas
Ley del Tribunal Verde Nacional de 2010: Fortalecimiento de la aplicación de la ley
Ley de Biodiversidad de 2002: Protección de los corredores ecológicos
Ley de Derechos Forestales de 2006: Equilibrar la conservación con los medios de vida
Ley del Fondo de Forestación Compensatoria de 2016: Ampliación de los espacios verdes
Iniciativas a nivel estatal: Fortalecimiento de la gobernanza local de las IG
Un marco jurídico holístico para el desarrollo de las IG
4. Evaluación de impacto de las leyes de infraestructura verde…
El impacto de las leyes de infraestructura verde en la India: dimensiones ambientales, sociales y legales
Impacto ambiental: mejora de la sostenibilidad y la resiliencia
Impacto social: Mejorar la salud pública y el bienestar comunitario
Impacto legal: Fortalecimiento de la gobernanza ambiental
Desafíos y el camino a seguir
Impacto multidimensional con margen de mejora
5. Desafíos legales e institucionales
6. Análisis comparativo con las mejores prácticas globales
Estados Unidos: IG para la gestión de aguas pluviales y el control de la contaminación
La Unión Europea: IG para la biodiversidad y los servicios ecosistémicos
Singapur: Incentivos financieros para jardines verticales y en azoteas
Australia: IG para la gestión del agua y la resiliencia climática
Canadá: IG para la adaptación y resiliencia climática
7. Estudios de casos de proyectos de IG en La India
Proyectos de Infraestructura Verde (IG) en India: Demostración de la eficacia de las políticas
Iniciativa Cinturón Verde de Delhi: Combatir la contaminación atmosférica y potenciar la vegetación urbana
Conservación de los manglares de Mumbai: protección de los ecosistemas costeros
Proyecto de gestión de aguas pluviales de Chennai: mitigación de inundaciones urbanas
Proyecto de Silvicultura Urbana de Pune: Promoción del Desarrollo Urbano Sostenible
Proyecto de revitalización del lago Hyderabad: restauración de la salud del ecosistema
Iniciativa de techos verdes y jardines verticales de Bengaluru: mejora de la sostenibilidad urbana
La necesidad de ampliar los proyectos de IG
Un modelo de desarrollo sostenible
8. Impactos económicos y sociales de la infraestructura verde
9. Análisis estructural de las iniciativas de política estatal y urbana en los estados indio de Maharashtra y Kerala
10. Integración tecnológica en la implementación de IG
11. Recomendaciones para fortalecer las leyes de IG en La India
12. Conclusión
13. Referencias y bibliografía
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