India: Ecocide Bill introduced in Parliament

Summary

On December 5, a Private Member’s Bill proposing the criminalisation of ecocide was formally introduced in the Indian Parliament.

The Ecocide (Prevention and Accountability) Bill, 2025 was introduced by Sujeet Kumar, an MP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house of Parliament, which represents the states and territories. 

The Bill defines ecocide as: “...any unlawful or wanton act or omission, committed with knowledge of substantial likelihood of severe, widespread or long-term damage to the environment, including harm to ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources.”

The proposed legislation would apply to both individuals and companies, carrying prison sentences starting at ten years, alongside financial penalties and obligations to restore damaged ecosystems and contribute to remediation and compensation for affected communities.

The Bill’s progression now depends on a Private Members’ Bill ballot during the forthcoming Budget Session, expected to begin in the last week of January. If Mr Kumar’s name is selected, the Bill will be taken up for debate.

If advanced, the proposal would place India among a growing number of states seeking to address the most serious forms of environmental destruction through domestic criminal law, including Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland, Argentina and French Polynesia.

You can find the full text of the Ecocide (Prevention and Accountability) Bill, 2025 here.