In 2023, India recorded 68,994 environment-related crimes, representing an increase of over 30% compared to the 52,920 incidents reported in 2022, according to the latest Crime in India report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Approximately 86% of the environment-related crimes, amounting to 59,279, were linked to violations of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, which regulates the advertisement, trade, and distribution of tobacco products. The report indicated that Tamil Nadu reported the highest number of overall environment-related crimes with 41,304 cases, followed by Kerala (8,786), Rajasthan (7,794), Maharashtra (4,854), and Uttar Pradesh (1,804).
Offences classified under the Noise Pollution Act and the Forest Act, including the Forest Conservation Act, occupied the second and third highest positions, with 6,640 and 2,076 incidents reported respectively. The Wildlife Protection Act accounted for 526 cases, the Environmental Protection Act for 389, and pollution-related laws for 68. Sixteen cases were documented under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, all of which originated from Meghalaya.
The data showed that nearly 98% of the environment-related cases resulted in charges being filed, contributing to a higher conviction rate compared to other cases under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and various special and local laws. However, a significant proportion of these convictions were related to tobacco offences and those under the Noise Pollution Act. The conviction rates for other environment-related offences remained relatively low.
Notably, the National Capital Territory of Delhi, which faces persistent air pollution challenges during the winter months, did not file any cases under the Air Pollution Control Act in 2023. Haryana reported three cases under the same law, while Punjab, which contends with stubble burning violations, also failed to document any cases.
Offence-specific statistics indicated that Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of forest-related crimes (1,282), followed by Rajasthan (232), Himachal Pradesh (141), Jharkhand (139), and Karnataka (98). Under the Wildlife Protection Act, Rajasthan led with 181 cases, while Uttar Pradesh registered 116, West Bengal recorded 41, Maharashtra noted 27, and Bihar had 25 cases reported.
