UGC NET LAW – IMPORTANT CASE LAWS (ENVIRONMENTAL LAW)

Organised Topic-wise + Key Principles

A. CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

1. Right to Clean Environment under Article 21

🔹 Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991)

  • Right to pollution-free water and air is part of Article 21.

🔹 M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Ganga Pollution Case)

  • Recognised Right to a clean environment.

🔹 A.P. Pollution Control Board v. Prof. M.V. Nayudu (1999)

  • Emphasised scientific expertise in environmental decision-making.

B. PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

2. Polluter Pays Principle

🔹 Vellore Citizens’ Welfare Forum v. Union of India (1996)

  • “Polluter Pays” declared part of Indian law.
  • Introduced Sustainable Development formally.

🔹 Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action v. Union of India (1996)

  • Polluters held absolutely liable to compensate.

3. Precautionary Principle

🔹 Vellore Citizens’ Welfare Forum v. Union of India (1996)

  • Precautionary Principle = basic component of environmental jurisprudence.

🔹 A.P. Pollution Control Board v. Nayudu

  • When scientific uncertainty exists, authorities must act with caution.

4. Public Trust Doctrine

🔹 M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath (1997)

  • State cannot hand over natural resources (like rivers) for private use.
  • Government is trustee of environment.

5. Absolute Liability Principle (Indian Contribution)

🔹 M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Oleum Gas Leak, 1986)

  • Developed the principle of Absolute Liability.
  • No exceptions like in Rylands v. Fletcher.
  • For hazardous industries.

6. Strict Liability (Common Law Basis)

🔹 Rylands v. Fletcher (1868)

  • Basis for strict liability in India.
  • Liability for escape of dangerous substances.

7. Sustainable Development Principle

🔹 Vellore Citizens’ Welfare Forum (1996)

  • Balanced approach between ecology and development.

🔹 Narmada Bachao Andolan v. Union of India (2000)

  • Sustainable development essential for major projects like dams.

C. IMPORTANT SUPREME COURT ENVIRONMENT CASES

8. Taj Trapezium Case

🔹 M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Taj Trapezium, 1997)

  • Ordered shift to CNG to reduce emissions affecting Taj Mahal.

9. Dehradun Limestone Quarrying Case

🔹 Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra v. State of UP (1985)

  • First major environmental PIL.
  • Banned limestone quarrying to protect ecology.

10. Vehicular Pollution and CNG Case

🔹 M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Vehicular Pollution Case, 1998–2001)

  • CNG conversion in Delhi.
  • Ordered phasing out old commercial vehicles.

11. Noise Pollution Cases

🔹 In Re: Noise Pollution (2005)

  • Banned loudspeakers at night (10 PM–6 AM).
  • Noise included under “air pollution.”

12. Forest Conservation and Definition of Forest

🔹 T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India (1996 & continuing)

  • Broad definition of “forest.”
  • Ongoing supervision of forest conservation by SC.

13. Ganga Pollution Case (Kanpur Tanneries)

🔹 M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1987)

  • Industries must set up treatment plants.
  • Precautionary steps for river pollution.

14. Bhopal Gas Disaster Case

🔹 Union Carbide Corporation v. Union of India (1989)

  • Compensation settlement case.
  • Directly inspired the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

D. NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL (NGT) CASES

15. Sterlite Copper Plant Case (2018)

  • NGT initially allowed reopening;
  • Supreme Court cancelled NGT decision for ignoring mandatory public hearing.

16. Art of Living Case (Yamuna Floodplains, 2016)

  • Environmental compensation imposed for ecological damage.

17. Volkswagen Emission Scandal (India Proceedings)

  • NGT imposed ₹500 crore environmental compensation.

E. INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CASES

18. Trail Smelter Arbitration (US v. Canada, 1938/41)

  • “No state has the right to use its territory to harm another.”
  • Foundation of transboundary harm principle.

19. Gabcíkovo–Nagymaros Project Case (Hungary v. Slovakia, ICJ 1997)

  • Reinforced sustainable development as a guiding principle.

20. Pulp Mills Case (Argentina v. Uruguay, ICJ 2010)

  • Conduct Environmental Impact Assessments for cross-border projects.

F. LANDMARK CASES IN SPECIFIC AREAS

21. Wetland Protection Case

M.K. Balakrishnan v. Union of India (2017)

  • Ordered identification and protection of wetlands.

22. Solid Waste Management Case

Almitra Patel v. Union of India (2000 onwards)

  • Directed municipal authorities to follow solid waste rules.

23. Wildlife Protection

Centre for Environmental Law, WWF v. Union of India (2013)

  • Strengthened tiger conservation; creation of eco-sensitive zones.

24. Fly Ash and Thermal Plants

Tata Power Co. Ltd. v. Maharashtra SEB

  • Fly ash disposal obligations clarified.

25. Climate Change & Mitigation Litigation (Recent)

Ridhima Pandey v. Union of India (2019)

  • Minor filed climate change PIL; SC recognized need for stronger mitigation actions.

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