Environmental policy refers to a deliberate set of principles, objectives, and strategies adopted by governments and institutions to regulate human interaction with the natural environment, aiming to prevent degradation, conserve resources, and promote sustainable development. It serves as a framework for decision-making that balances ecological integrity with social and economic needs. Environmental policies typically address issues such as air and water quality, waste management, climate change, forest conservation, biodiversity protection, and pollution control. By setting standards, enforcing laws, and guiding planning processes, environmental policy plays a crucial role in steering societies towards environmentally responsible behavior and sustainable urban growth. In the Indian context, environmental policy has evolved as a response to growing ecological challenges arising from industrialization, population pressure, and rapid urbanization. The National Environment Policy (NEP) of 2006 is the most comprehensive articulation of India’s vision for environmental conservation and sustainable development. Rooted in the constitutional mandate under Articles 48A and 51A(g), which direct the state and citizens to protect and improve the environment, the NEP consolidates earlier policies on forests, water, wildlife, and pollution into a single integrated framework. It aims to ensure that economic and social development proceed without irreversibly harming the ecological base that sustains life. The NEP 2006 is grounded in principles such as the precautionary approach, the polluter pays principle, and the doctrine of intergenerational equity. It recognizes that environmental conservation cannot