Conservation Cannot Yield to Climate Mitigation — (2025) INSC 1472

Key Precedents

• Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India (1996) 5 SCC 647 — Established the precautionary principle and polluter pays principle as part of Indian environmental jurisprudence, requiring courts to err on the side of conservation where there is scientific uncertainty about environmental harm.
• A.P. Pollution Control Board v. M.V. Nayudu (1999) 2 SCC 718 — Affirmed that the precautionary principle places the burden of proof on the industrial developer to show that their activity will not cause irreversible environmental harm.
• T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India (2005) 2 SCC 324 — Held that conservation of forests and wildlife is not subordinate to development needs, and that the principle of sustainable development requires integration of environmental concerns into all development decisions.