Environmental Law
Post-Facto Environmental Clearance Allows Impermissible Projects To Continue Till State Intervenes: Supreme Court Raises Concern
The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed concerns that allowing the grant of post-facto environmental clearance would result in projects, which are harmful to the environment, continuing until state intervention.The Court noted that in contrast, if a prior environmental sanction is treated as non-negotiable, authorities would be duty-bound to stop any activity undertaken without it. “When...
Keeping 400 Deers In AN Jha Deer Park Having Capacity For 34 'Grave Cruelty' : Supreme Court
The Supreme Court today observed that keeping 400 spotted deer in Delhi's A.N. Jha Deer Park, having a capacity of only 34 deer, was 'grave cruelty' and expressed the need for relocation to forest ranges identified by the expert committee (CEC) The bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta was hearing the case relating to the relocation of a spotted deer from Delhi's A.N. Jha...
Wildlife Surveillance & Tribal Privacy: Supreme Court Asks Petitioner To Approach Ministry
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL alleging that surveillance technologies such as camera traps and drones deployed in forest and tiger reserve areas across the country are capturing identifiable images of tribal communities without notice or consent.A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi permitted the petitioners...
'Disturbing Animals After Lawful Import May Result In Cruelty' : Supreme Court Rejects Plea Against Vantara
The Supreme Court recently dismissed a PIL alleging violations of international wildlife trade norms in the importation of animals by Vantata, noting that the issues raised were already rejected last year in another matter after an SIT inquiry found no foul play.A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and NV Anjaria refused to entertain the PIL filed by Karanartham Viramah Foundation...
NGT Can't Order Removal Of Encroachment Raised In Violation Of Municipal Laws : Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has observed that the National Green Tribunal lacks jurisdiction to order the removal of an alleged encroachment, which was raised in violation of the Municipal Laws. A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe set aside the New Delhi NGT decision, which had ordered the removal of a Temple, which was illegally constructed on the land shown as open space/Park in Sector...
Supreme Court Seeks Report From Union & States On Removal Of Encroachments From Ganga Banks
The Supreme Court has sought a comprehensive nationwide status report on encroachments along the banks and floodplains of the River Ganga while hearing a case concerning illegal constructions on the river's floodplains in Patna, Bihar.A Bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan directed the Union Government, the State of Bihar and other States through which the Ganga flows to...
Supreme Court Issues Directions For Proper Enforcement Of Solid Waste Management Rules 2026
The Supreme Court recently issued a comprehensive set of directions across the country for the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules(SWM Rules), 2026, which is set to come into force from April 1, 2026. It flagged the lack of compliance with the 2016 rules, particularly segregation of waste into wet, dry, and hazardous waste, in urban and rural areas and active massive...
National Green Tribunal Dismisses Challenges To Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project; Directs Strict Compliance With Environmental Safeguards
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata, has disposed of Original Application Nos. 93/2024/EZ and 95/2024/EZ along with M.A. No. 23/2024/EZ concerning the proposed International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), township development, and 450 MVA Gas and Solar-based Power Plant at Great Nicobar Island.The Bench was headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava...
