Whether it is deforestation, forest degradation, water pollution, poor sanitation, environmental disasters or land degradation, it is often certain sections of society who suffer disproportionately the effects of environmental degradation. From the point of view of environmental justice, the weaker, more vulnerable groups can be identified as suffering the most when their environment undergoes an adverse change. The groups are most adversely impacted are: indigenous peoples/tribals, urban poor, migrant and landless communities, women and children, small and marginal farmers, and the fishing communities.

Winrock International India (WII) recognized the need for certain sections of society who suffer disproportionately the effects of environmental degradation and their right to environmental justice. WII is committed to exploring the various ways and means, which will help formulate ideas and strategies for decentralized action to promote environmental justice.

The objective of this project was to explore environmental justice and equity issues through a range of means, such as sound literature review, roundtable discussions involving a wide range of stakeholders, primary research, and studies conducted by expert individuals/institutions on relevant issues. This exercise helped formulate ideas and strategies for decentralized action to promote environmental justice. Various activities undertaken during the project were.

A roundtable discussion on environmental justice was organized in September 2002 to brainstorm and define in a more nuanced way the concept of environmental justice, to reflect on the different ways in which issues of environmental justice are tackled and more importantly to understand how these can complement each other.

Following this discussion, experts were selected to conduct eight studies along with WII on the various EJ issues such as biodiversity loss, effects of mining, water and sanitation issues, groundwater degradation, man-animal conflicts, etc, covering different geographical regions in India.

Once the studies were completed analytical reports and separate case studies were written, a final workshop was organized to present the findings for further discussions. The publication of these reports and papers are currently underway.