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In a series of cases (MC Mehta v. Union of India), the Supreme Court evolved environmental jurisprudence including absolute liability for hazardous industries, public trust doctrine for natural resources, and sustainable development principles as part of right to life under Article 21.
- True
- False
Answer: True
MC Mehta cases environmental jurisprudence: (a) Context: Series of public interest litigations by environmental lawyer MC Mehta addressing pollution, industrial hazards, environmental degradation, (b) Key holdings: (i) Absolute liability (Oleum Gas Leak case, 1987): Enterprises engaged in hazardous activities liable for harm regardless of negligence; no defenses available, (ii) Public trust doctrine: State as trustee of natural resources (rivers, forests, air) for present and future generations, (iii) Sustainable development: Balance development needs with ecological sustainability; precautionary principle, polluter pays principle as part of environmental law, (c) Constitutional basis: Article 21 (right to life includes healthy environment) + Article 48A (DPSP: State to protect environment) + Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duty: protect environment), (d) Applications: (i) Industrial regulation: Closure of polluting units, emission standards, environmental impact assessments, (ii) River protection: Ganga, Yamuna cleaning efforts, restrictions on industrial discharge, (iii) Climate litigation: Emerging cases challenging coal projects, emission norms based on right to healthy environment, (e) Institutional mechanisms: (i) National Green Tribunal (NGT): Expedited environmental dispute resolution, (ii) Pollution Control Boards: Monitoring, enforcement of standards, (f) Illustrates transformative constitutionalism: Article 21 interpreted to impose positive obligations on State, industries for environmental protection; absolute liability ensures accountability for hazardous activities.