Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Judicial Role in India's Environmental Law Evolution
A judge said that public interest lawsuits and the Supreme Court's wide interpretations helped make environmental protection a big part of Indian law.
The court made rules like 'polluter pays' and set up a special court for environmental cases.
This helped protect the environment even when laws were not strong enough.
Justice N Kotiswar Singh attributes growth of environmental law to PILs
Supreme Court expanded locus standi, interpreted Article 21 for environmental protection
Court introduced principles like strict liability, polluter pays, and precautionary
Judiciary became guardian of environmental governance, bridging legislative gaps
National Green Tribunal established for swift environmental dispute adjudication
- Who
- Justice N Kotiswar Singh
- What
- Spoke about the development of environmental law in India
- When
- November 13, 2025
- Where
- UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil's Belem
- Why
- To discuss the role of the judiciary in environmental protection
- Period of Transition
- Marked by judicial activism in environmental law
- Key Principles Introduced
- Strict liability, polluter pays, precautionary
- Special Court Established
- National Green Tribunal in 2010
- Constitutional Commitment
- Environmental protection became a continuous commitment