India, June 27 -- Every era inherits a defining national challenge. For independent India's early decades, it was food security. Later came industrialisation, poverty reduction and economic reform. Today, an equally consequential challenge is emerging before us: environmental security.

World Environment Day, observed on June 5, often prompts familiar discussions about conservation, recycling and personal responsibility. These remain important, but they no longer capture the scale of the challenge confronting India. Environmental degradation is no longer merely an ecological concern. It is increasingly shaping public health, agricultural productivity, economic competitiveness, urban liveability, energy security and social stability.

The ...