Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant has redefined the scope of Article 21 of the Constitution, stating that the right to life and personal liberty must include the preservation of ecological conditions essential for sustaining life. Speaking at a regional conference in Kerala, he emphasized that justice must not operate selectively, especially when environmental degradation threatens vulnerable communities.
📜 Event Background: NALSA–KeLSA Conference on Human–Wildlife Conflict
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Speaker | Justice Surya Kant, Supreme Court of India |
| Occasion | Regional Conference on Human–Wildlife Conflict |
| Organizers | National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) & Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) |
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
| Key Theme | Ecological justice under Article 21 |
| Attendees | Judges from Supreme Court and High Courts |
Justice Kant addressed the growing challenges of human–wildlife conflict, calling it not just an environmental issue but a matter of justice and governance.
🧑‍⚖️ Legal Reasoning: Article 21 Must Protect Ecological Conditions
“Justice cannot be permitted to operate selectively—neither in its substance nor in its application. Article 21… must be understood as extending also to the preservation of ecological conditions essential for the sustenance of that life.” — Justice Surya Kant
- Ecological justice requires balancing human rights with conservation
- Legal aid must reach marginalized communities living near forests
- The Green Bench of the Supreme Court plays a pivotal role in protecting biodiversity
- Development must not extract an irreparable price from flora and fauna
🔍 Why Ecological Justice Matters Under Article 21
Justice Kant stressed that:
- Wildlife protection must coexist with human safety and dignity
- Victims of human–wildlife conflict often belong to tribal and rural communities
- Many are unaware of their legal rights and entitlements
- Legal services must ensure access to justice and rehabilitation
📢 NALSA Initiatives Launched at the Event
- NALSA Scheme on Access to Justice for Victims of Human–Wildlife Conflict (HWC), 2025
- Free legal aid, awareness, and timely assistance
- Promotes ecological balance and coexistence
- Compendium on Human–Wildlife Conflict
- First-of-its-kind resource compiling policies, guidelines, and judgments
- First-of-its-kind resource compiling policies, guidelines, and judgments
- NALSA SPRUHA Scheme, 2025
- Legal aid and reintegration support for dependents of incarcerated persons and victims of crime
đź’¬ Vakilify Insight
Justice Kant’s interpretation of Article 21 as a vehicle for ecological justice marks a constitutional shift. It affirms that legal protection must evolve to meet environmental realities, especially for communities living at the edge of survival. This is not just about wildlife—it’s about human dignity, legal empowerment, and sustainable development.
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