India's chief justice urges courts to balance development with robust environmental safeguards

At the inaugural session of an international conference on environment and climate dynamics, Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized that Indian courts now face the task of integrating development with environmental stewardship rather than choosing between the two. He highlighted the Supreme Court’s evolution toward “eco-centric proportionality,” allowing projects only if they include enforceable safeguards, expert monitoring, compensatory afforestation and accountability.

Kant traced the court’s jurisprudence over four decades, noting milestones such as the recognition of a pollution-free environment as a fundamental right and the adoption of the precautionary and polluter-pays principles. The conference, organized by the National Green Tribunal at Vigyan Bhavan, also featured Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiling the NGT mobile application and remarks from NGT Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and Attorney General R Venkataramani on the need for global climate-justice institutions. Participants included Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and judges from 17 countries, aiming to foster international dialogue on climate and development challenges.