Environmental Law

Supreme Court Approves Shifting Of Deers From Delhi's AN Jha Park To Rajasthan, Directs Centre To Frame Guidelines On Wildlife Relocation
The Supreme Court has upheld the translocation of deer from Delhi's A.N. Jha Deer Park in Hauz Khas to tiger reserves in Rajasthan, while issuing wide-ranging directions to regulate wildlife relocation across the country. A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta upheld the Delhi High Court's decision regarding deer's translocation to places outside Delhi while retaining a few...

NGT Takes Suo Motu Cognizance Of Risks From Hanging Glaciers In Central Himalaya
The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, has taken suo motu cognizance of a news report highlighting the environmental risks posed by unstable hanging glaciers in the Central Himalaya.The Bench comprising Mr. Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. Afroz Ahmad (Expert Member) registered Original Application No. 258/2026 based on a news item titled...

National Green Tribunal Orders Action In Dwarka Omaxe Project Case
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has passed a significant order in Original Application No. 137/2025 (Renu Bala vs. MoEF&CC & Ors.), concerning alleged environmental violations in “The Omaxe State” project located in Dwarka, New Delhi.The bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel pronounced the order on April...

Supreme Court Approves Environment Compensation Charge Hike For Commercial Vehicles Entering Delhi, Mandates 5% Annual Increase
The Supreme Court has approved a proposal to enhance the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) on commercial vehicles entering Delhi, while mandating a 5% annual increase to maintain its deterrent effect against pollution. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, by order passed on 12/03/2026, but uploaded today, approved...

'Apply Preventive Detention Against Mining Mafia' : Supreme Court Issues Directions To Curb Illegal Mining In Chambal Sanctuary
The Court issued a slew of directions, inclding CCTV installation and GPS fitting in vehicles, to curb illegal sand mining in the ecosensitive region.

Are CPCB Guidelines On Petrol Pump Establishment Mandatory? Supreme Court Refers To Larger Bench
The Supreme Court recently referred to a larger Bench the issue of whether the siting criteria prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board for setting up petrol pumps are mandatory, in view of a conflict with local zoning regulations.A bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice K Vinod Chandran was dealing with appeals concerning guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board...

Supreme Court Stays Rajasthan Govt Decision To Denotify Areas In Chambal Sanctuary, Raises Concerns Over Illegal Sand Mining
The Court suggested that preventive detention law should be applied against sand mafia.

Post-Facto EC Not Automatic, Impermissible Projects Can Be Demolished, Says Centre; Supreme Court Reserves Judgment
Even if the projects are permissible, they have to be shown to be sustainable for getting post-facto environmental clearance, the Centre said.

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...

Subsequent Tree Growth On Land Approved For Development Won't Make It 'Deemed Forest' : Supreme Court
"Mere presence of vegetation or tree cover cannot by itself be equated with the existence of a natural forest ecosystem.”

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...
