Why in news?
- At the National Conference on Environment‑2025, Supreme Court Justice P. S. Narasimha highlighted India’s move from an anthropocentric to an eco‑centric approach in environmental jurisprudence.
- He emphasised the principle of intergenerational equity, asserting that nature has intrinsic value and should be preserved not just for human use but also for the benefit of future generations.
Background
- Intergenerational equity holds that the current generation must manage natural resources in a way that does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This idea underpins the concept of sustainable development, defined by the 1987 Brundtland Commission as development that meets present needs without compromising the future.
- Traditional environmental law focused on human benefits. Eco‑centric jurisprudence recognises that ecosystems and species have intrinsic rights and that humans are part of a larger ecological community.
Key insights from the conference
- Justice Narasimha noted that Indian jurisprudence increasingly treats nature as a living entity with its own rights, reflecting cultural values that regard rivers, mountains and forests as sacred.
- The chairperson of the National Green Tribunal stressed the tribunal’s role in adjudicating environmental disputes swiftly and ensuring that development projects meet ecological safeguards.
- Officials acknowledged challenges in enforcing environmental regulations and called for public participation, scientific assessments and transparent decision‑making to balance development and conservation.
Significance
- Embracing intergenerational equity compels policymakers to consider long‑term ecological impacts alongside immediate economic gains.
- Eco‑centric jurisprudence aligns with global movements to recognise the rights of nature, such as granting legal personhood to rivers and forests.
- In a rapidly developing country facing climate change and biodiversity loss, such principles can guide sustainable resource use and protect vulnerable communities.
Conclusion
The conference underscored a growing consensus that environmental laws must protect both people and the planet. Upholding intergenerational equity will require robust institutions, public awareness and a willingness to redefine prosperity beyond short‑term exploitation.
Source: Economic Times · IISD