ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the responsibilities lying with the formal environmental institutions in India’s federal system. It demonstrates the extent to which constitutional amendments, international engagements, fiscal federalism and judicial review paved the way for a strong involvement of the centre in environmental policy. Yet, legislative and fiscal centralisation coincides with a strong dependence of the centre on the states (and increasingly local government) for the delivery of its environmental goals. This mutual dependence gives rise to a strong need for intergovernmental collaboration or joint decision-making. Although there is some evidence of state benchmarking at the centre, we find little support for the view that the states have acquired more “voice” in co-shaping environmental goals set by the centre.
