Among India's most serious environmental problems are land damage, water shortages, and air and water pollution. Due to uncontrolled dumping of chemical and industrial waste, fertilizers, and pesticides, 70% of the surface water in India is polluted.

Air pollution is most severe in urban centers. In rural areas, the burning of wood, charcoal, and dung for fuel poses a significant problem. Industrial air pollution threatens some of India's architectural treasures, including the Taj Mahal in Agra, part of the exterior of which has been dulled and pitted by airborne acids.

The Wildlife Act of 1972 prohibits killing and selling threatened animals. In 1985 there were twenty national parks and more than two hundred wildlife sanctuaries. As of 2001, 4.4% of India's total land area was protected. In addition to 75 species of mammals, 73 types of birds are endangered, as are 785 plant species.

Endangered species in India include the lion-tailed macaque, snow leopard, cheetah, Asian elephant, Sumatran rhinoceros, and Indian python.

Although wardens are authorized to shoot poachers on game reserves, poaching continues, with the Indian rhinoceros (whose horn is renowned for its supposed aphrodisiac qualities) considered an especially valuable prize.