Environmental policy refers to the set of principles, laws, regulations, and institutional mechanisms through which societies manage human interaction with the natural environment in order to protect ecological systems, conserve natural resources, and ensure sustainable development. It provides a framework for balancing economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection by guiding decision-making at local, national, and global levels. Environmental policy addresses issues such as pollution control, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, land use planning, waste management, and the sustainable use of water, forests, and minerals. In the context of ecology and urban development, environmental policy plays a crucial role in shaping cities that are environmentally sound, socially inclusive, and economically viable, recognizing that unchecked urbanization can severely degrade ecosystems and human health. Environmental policy is rooted in the understanding that natural resources are finite and that environmental degradation imposes social and economic costs that markets often fail to account for. It seeks to correct such market failures through regulatory instruments, economic incentives, and participatory governance. Policies may include command-and-control regulations such as emission standards, market-based instruments like taxes and tradable permits, and voluntary or informational tools such as eco-labeling and environmental impact disclosure. In urban areas, environmental policy influences land use zoning, transportation planning, housing development, industrial siting, and the provision of green infrastructure, thereby shaping the ecological footprint of cities. In India, the evolution of environmental policy has been closely linked to constitutional mandates, judicial interventions, and international environmental commitments. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment of 1976 explicitly incorporated environmental protection into the Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties, making it the responsibility of both the state and citizens to protect and improve the environment. Over time, India enacted several key environmental laws, including the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. However, the need for an overarching and integrative