We study the causal impact of legislator gender on forest cover growth in India. Exploiting quasi-random variation in close mixed gender electoral races in a regression discontinuity framework, we find that assembly constituencies where a female politician won witnessed an increase in subsequent annual forest cover growth by 6%. However, this result is limited to constituencies that are reserved for historically marginalized communities. Our findings underscore the role of legislator identity in influencing environmental conservation and thereby achieving sustainable development in India.
