The Absence of Legal framework on Light Pollution in India: A Case for a Dedicated Environmental Law

Abstract

Light, an essential component of human progress and safety, has increasingly become a source of environmental concern in the modern era. Artificial illumination, once a symbol of development and technological advancement, has now evolved into a pervasive form of pollution that disrupts natural systems and human well-being. Light pollution, broadly understood as the excessive, misdirected, or intrusive use of artificial light, is no longer confined to urban skylines but extends across rural landscapes, ecosystems, and even protected areas.

The rapid pace of urbanization, industrialization, and infrastructural growth has significantly intensified the use of artificial lighting. Streetlights, commercial establishments, residential complexes, and digital advertising displays contribute to an ever-brightening night sky. While such illumination serves legitimate purposes such as safety, security, and economic activity, its unregulated and excessive use has led to unintended and often overlooked consequences. Unlike other forms of pollution, light pollution is less visible as a legal and policy concern, yet its effects are deeply pervasive, cutting across ecological boundaries and affecting both human and non-human life.  From an environmental perspective, light pollution alters the natural cycles of day and night that have governed life on Earth for millennia. The disruption of these cycles interferes with fundamental biological processes, including circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep, metabolism, and hormonal balance in living organisms.