Fiat and forbearance: the challenge of capturing plurality and diversity in environmental governance

Abstract

A close reading of India’s Constitution indicates that the ideals of pluralism and diversity underpin our basic approach to environmental issues. All the same, the past record of environmental governance in the country suggests that the twin ideals have not been adequately captured through appropriate policies and programmes. Part of the reason for this situation has been the predominant use of command and control instruments for realizing environmental goals. This article argues that the future of environmental governance in India lies in pursuing the principles of pluralism and diversity through balanced approaches to issues. This would imply having an open mind towards ‘command and control’ and ‘market based instruments’, pursuing economic and social development within the ambit of environmental policies, conserving the diversity of landscapes and nurturing a network of public spheres that can create plural viewpoints on environmental issues. In the light of the current environmental scenario in the country, where local commons and global commons fight for space, it is argued that an enlightened ‘fiat and forbearance regime’ that balances the ‘global’ with the ‘local’ offers the best hope for promoting plurality and diversity in environmental governance. The article unfolds the architecture of an enlightened fiat and forbearance regime for India in its local, regional, national and global dimensions. It is argued that a multi-level, multi-stakeholder governance system, if backed by certain enabling principles, can help India realize the paradigm of ‘enlightened fiat and forbearance regime’ in the realm of environment.