Introduction

Abstract

Environmental governance has emerged as one of the important dimensions of today’s world, including India. In fact, it has become more complex and challenging for both humanity and its governing institution. This may be attributed to various implications caused by human activities across the landscape, both rural and urban. The growing conflict between use and conservation of environment and economic development is not confined to mere debates and academic research. In this respect, the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment held in 1972 turned out to be a defining moment in terms of the recognition of challenges involved in environmental governance by the global community. Ever since, environmental governance issues got increasingly internalised in the global agenda at all levels. The role of democratic institutions in environmental governance is becoming increasingly recognised in the context of changing urban environment. Hence, policy responses and institutions can take place at different scales, i.e. from global to the national and local or subnational level.