Ecological Impacts of Light Pollution with Special Focus on Plants: Addressing Legal Gaps in India Through a Comparative Study of Light Pollution Laws in the USA

IJEP 46(6): 551-560 : Vol. 46 Issue 6 (June 2026)

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Nidhi Jain1, Momina Zahan1*, Ranveer Singh Whala2 and Bhupal Bhattacharya3

1. Banasthali Vidyapith, Faculty of Law, Vanasthali – 304 022, Rajasthan, India
2. Navrachana University, School of Business and Law, Vadodara – 391 410, Gujarat, India
3. Raiganj University, Department of Law, Raiganj – 733 134, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Light pollution is an emerging yet often neglected environmental concern. It is steadily increasing alongside rapid urbanization and technological advancement. When discussing light pollution, attention typically focuses on its impact on nocturnal wildlife, the dark sky and human health, while its effects on plant life, which are equally serious, receive less attention. Artificial light disrupts essential biological processes in plants, including flowering, growth cycles and interactions with pollinators, as documented in studies published in several well-reputed scientific journals that highlight the broader environmental consequences of excessive artificial illumination. In India, light pollution has yet to be explicitly acknowledged within legal frameworks. Despite comprehensive environmental laws that reflect a commitment to environmental protection, artificial lighting as a pollutant remains largely overlooked. In contrast, other countries, such as the United States, have implemented localized lighting regulations and made considerable progress, supported by initiatives, such as those led by the International Dark-Sky Association to address the issue of light pollution. This paper critically explores the legal and ecological gaps regarding light pollution in India, with a special focus on its overlooked impact on the plant ecosystem. Based on an in-depth study of the USA and other successful international models, this paper proposes actionable recommendations to regulate light pollution in India, including policy development, public awareness initiatives and urban planning reforms. These steps are crucial to maintaining ecological balance and preserving the dark sky for future generations.

Keywords

Light pollution, Ecological impacts, Plant life, Legal gaps, Environmental regulations

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