Paper short abstract:

This paper deals with the historical development of environmentalism in India as well as the legal regime surrounding it. It makes an attempt to delve into environmental histories, climate change advancements with reference to legal issues and institutions laying an emphasis on India and South Asia.

Paper long abstract:

Environmentalism, as a concept has grown heaps and bounds around the world. South Asia as a region has seen ingenious developments relating to it in the past decades. Legal developments on top of the historical developments are quite significant in mapping the histories and growth of environmentalism in South Asia. Climate change is one pressing issue in the field of environmental law. South Asian countries are highly vulnerable to climate change. We are witnessing direct consequences of it including soaring high temperatures, floods, droughts. India among the other countries in the region is one of the most vulnerable due to its high population, large and varied geographical area. India has diversified laws for environmental protection and the very constitution of the country has articles for environmental welfare and protection. The country has enacted numerous legislations towards such goals and is also a party to key international agreements. It is pertinent to analyze the historical development of the present legal regime of environmentalism in India and the paper aims to do so. It makes an attempt to delve into environmental histories, climate change advancements with reference to legal issues and institutions laying an emphasis on India and South Asia.