ARCHIVES
VOL. 8, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Environmental policies and marginalized sections in Delhi: Challenges and opportunities
Authors
Yogita
Abstract
Environmental policies in India have played a
significant role in strengthening environmental governance through legislative
measures aimed at controlling pollution, conserving natural resources, and
promoting sustainable development. However, the implementation of these
policies often produces unequal outcomes for socially and economically
marginalized communities. This article critically examines the impact of
environmental policies on Dalits, women, and the urban poor in Delhi,
highlighting the challenges they face in accessing environmental rights and
justice. Adopting a qualitative and analytical research approach, the study
draws upon primary sources, including interviews, focus group discussions, and
field observations, along with secondary data from legislation, judicial
decisions, government reports, and scholarly literature. The findings reveal
that environmental risks and policy burdens are disproportionately concentrated
among marginalized groups because of caste-based exclusion, gender inequalities,
poverty, and inadequate access to public services. The study further identifies
weak policy implementation, limited community participation, insufficient
rehabilitation measures, and institutional gaps as major barriers to achieving
environmental justice. While India's environmental laws provide a strong legal
framework for environmental protection, their effectiveness remains constrained
by unequal implementation and the limited inclusion of vulnerable communities
in decision-making processes. The article argues that environmental governance
must move beyond pollution control and incorporate principles of equity,
participation, and social inclusion. It recommends strengthening community
engagement, improving institutional accountability, adopting gender- and
caste-sensitive policy frameworks, and integrating social justice into
environmental planning. The study contributes to the growing discourse on
environmental justice by demonstrating that sustainable environmental
governance in Delhi requires balancing ecological conservation with the rights
and welfare of marginalized populations.
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Pages:68-73
How to cite this article:
Yogita "Environmental policies and marginalized sections in Delhi: Challenges and opportunities". International Journal of Sociology and Political Science, Vol 8, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 68-73
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