Environmental Law

Our Environmental Law practice advises corporates, public sector undertakings, manufacturers, real estate developers, infrastructure sponsors, mining operators, and producers across the full range of environmental, climate, and sustainability obligations under Indian law. We work with clients to secure approvals, build defensible compliance positions, and represent them in regulatory and contentious proceedings.

Our work covers the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the EIA Notification, 2006 and its subsequent amendments, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019, and the suite of waste management rules, including the Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, the Plastic Waste Management Rules, the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, and the Construction and Demolition Waste Rules. We advise on environmental impact assessments, environmental clearance applications, consent to establish and consent to operate, public hearing procedures, expansion and modernisation approvals, and the post-clearance compliance regime monitored by the MoEFCC, the Central Pollution Control Board, and State Pollution Control Boards.

• Environmental Impact Assessment & Clearance Advisory — End-to-end support for EIA preparation, public hearings, and environmental clearance applications under the EIA Notification, 2006
• Consent Management — Obtaining and renewing Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from State Pollution Control Boards under the Water and Air Acts
• Forest & Wildlife Clearances — Applications under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, wildlife clearances under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and CRZ approvals
• Waste Management & EPR Compliance — Advisory on Hazardous Waste, Plastic Waste, E-Waste, Battery Waste, Tyre Waste, and C&D Waste rules, including Extended Producer Responsibility registration and target compliance
• Climate Change & Carbon Markets — Counsel on the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023, emission reduction obligations, and carbon credit transactions under the CERC Regulations, 2026
• ESG & Sustainability Reporting — Advising on BRSR, GRI, and broader ESG disclosure obligations for listed and unlisted companies
• NGT & Environmental Litigation — Representation before the National Green Tribunal, High Courts, and the Supreme Court in environmental disputes, closure orders, and PIL matters
• Environmental Due Diligence — Compliance assessments for M&A transactions, project finance, and asset transfers, including disclosure of historical liabilities
• Green Finance & Renewable Energy — Counsel on sustainability-linked bonds and loans, green financing frameworks, and renewable energy project compliance
• Regulatory Engagement & Pre-Litigation Strategy — Proactive engagement with CPCB, SPCBs, CAQM, and MoEFCC to manage exposure and resolve regulatory issues before they escalate

1. Environmental Clearances and Approvals

• Securing environmental clearances under the EIA Notification, 2006 for industries, mining, infrastructure, and real estate projects
• Coordinating environmental impact assessments, baseline studies, and public hearings with accredited consultants
• Obtaining consent to establish and consent to operate from State Pollution Control Boards under the Water and Air Acts
• Advising on forest clearances under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, wildlife clearances, and Coastal Regulation Zone approvals

2. Compliance, Audit & ESG Integration

• Advising on ongoing environmental compliance, including emission and effluent norms, hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, and disposal protocols
• Environmental compliance audits and gap assessments for manufacturing, construction, hospitality, and logistics operations
• Counsel on Extended Producer Responsibility under the Plastic Waste, E-Waste, Battery Waste, and Tyre Waste rules, including registration and target compliance
• Advising on BRSR, GRI, and broader ESG disclosure obligations for listed and unlisted companies

3. Climate Change & Carbon Markets

• Advisory on obligations and compliance under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023
• Counsel on carbon credit transactions, trading procedures, and market participation under the CERC Regulations, 2026
• Advising on renewable energy project compliance, green financing, and sustainability-linked instruments
• Structuring corporate climate strategies aligned with India’s NDC commitments and evolving regulatory mandates

4. Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings

• Representing clients before the National Green Tribunal at its principal and zonal benches, the High Courts, and the Supreme Court
• Defending closure orders, show cause notices, and environmental compensation demands from CPCB and SPCBs
• Acting in public interest litigation, third-party environmental claims, and writ proceedings touching environmental policy
• Pre-litigation strategy and engagement with regulators to manage exposure

5. Transactions and Sustainability

• Environmental due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, asset transfers, and project finance, including disclosure of historical liabilities and pending notices
• Drafting environmental representations, indemnities, and post-closing covenants in transaction documents
• Counsel on green financing, sustainability-linked bonds and loans, and renewable energy project compliance
• Advisory on CAQM compliance, dust mitigation protocols, and air quality management for construction and industrial operations

6. Waste Management & Circular Economy

• Advising on compliance with Hazardous Waste, Plastic Waste, E-Waste, Battery Waste, Tyre Waste, and C&D Waste rules
• Obtaining and managing Extended Producer Responsibility authorisations, registration, and annual target compliance
• Counsel on the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, including recent Supreme Court enforcement mandates
• Advisory on waste-to-energy projects, recycling frameworks, and circular economy compliance

7. Forest, Wildlife & Biodiversity

• Forest clearance applications under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 2023
• Wildlife clearances and advisory under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for projects in ecologically sensitive areas
• Advising on biodiversity compliance, access and benefit sharing under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
• Counsel on tribal and forest rights issues under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 in the context of development projects