Environmental policy refers to the framework of laws, regulations, strategies, and actions formulated by governments and institutions to protect, manage, and improve the natural environment while balancing developmental needs. It serves as a guiding principle for addressing environmental challenges such as pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. The aim of environmental policy is to ensure sustainable development by integrating ecological considerations into economic planning and social progress. By providing rules, norms, and guidelines, environmental policy ensures the responsible use of natural resources, prevention of environmental degradation, and promotion of ecological balance for present and future generations. In India, environmental policy has evolved gradually, shaped by the nation’s growing developmental pressures, ecological challenges, and international commitments. After independence, development was prioritized, but environmental concerns soon became apparent due to rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population growth. The Stockholm Conference of 1972 was a major turning point, as it led to India establishing the National Committee on Environmental Planning and Coordination in 1972, the precursor to more structured environmental governance. Following this, constitutional provisions such as Article 48A and Article 51A(g) emphasized state and citizen responsibility in environmental protection. This laid the foundation for later comprehensive policy frameworks. The National Environmental Policy (NEP) of 2006 is India’s most significant environmental policy document, aiming to address the challenges of environmental conservation while ensuring growth and poverty eradication. The NEP was developed to provide a cohesive strategy since earlier environmental laws and sectoral policies were fragmented. It was influenced by international commitments such as the Rio Earth Summit (1992), the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Millennium Development Goals. The policy is based on principles of sustainable development, equity, and integration of environmental concerns into decision-making at all levels. The NEP emphasizes several key objectives. One of its central goals is the conservation of critical ecological resources. This includes protecting forests, wetlands, biodiversity hotspots, coastal zones, and rivers. These resources provide ecosystem services essential for human survival, such as clean air, water, soil fertility, and climate regulation. The policy stresses the need to strengthen the network of protected areas and improve management practices through participatory approaches involving local communities. Another major aim is livelihood security for the poor, especially those directly dependent on natural resources. Many rural communities rely on forests, rivers, and agricultural land for survival. Overexploitation or degradation of these resources affects their well-being directly. Therefore, the policy advocates sustainable use of resources while creating alternative livelihood opportunities. It promotes eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and community-based resource management as strategies for combining