Send message to Authors

Paper long abstract

This paper explores the intersection of environmental law and geography in shaping the urban policy landscape of India’s capital. Delhi has become emblematic of the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation, industrial growth, and increasing pollution, which have triggered widespread public protests and advocacy for more robust environmental governance. This research investigates these spatial and legal dimensions of anti-pollution protests, assessing their impact on legislative reforms to curb environmental degradation. The primary research questions guiding this study are: How do geographical factors influence the organisation and intensity of anti-pollution protests in Delhi? And What role do legal frameworks and policy responses play in addressing public concerns over environmental degradation?

The research methodology involves spatial analysis of protest locations and patterns alongside a critical review of key legislative measures such as the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, the Environment Protection Act, and specific city-level regulations targeting pollution. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study incorporates qualitative analysis of protest narratives, media coverage, and policy documents alongside quantitative data on pollution metrics and legislative actions. In-depth interviews with environmental activists, legal experts, and urban planners provide qualitative insights into the effectiveness of these legal responses.

This paper demonstrates how geography and environmental law interact to produce challenges and opportunities for sustainable urban development. The study comprehensively explains how grassroots movements can shape environmental legislation by critically analysing the relationship between civic activism and policy change. This research contributes to the broader field of legal geography.