Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has emerged as a powerful tool in the Indian judicial system to promote environmental justice and sustainability. Introduced in the late 1970s and early 1980s, PIL allows any public-spirited individual or organization to approach the courts on behalf of marginalized communities or public causes. In environmental matters, PILs have ensured that both governmental and corporate actors are held accountable.
1. The Ganga Water Pollution Case (MC Mehta v. Union of India, 1988)
In one of the most landmark cases, environmental lawyer M.C. Mehta filed a PIL against industries polluting the River Ganga. The Supreme Court, recognizing the significance of the river, ordered the closure or relocation of industries that were discharging toxic waste into the river without proper treatment. The case laid the foundation for the concept of the “polluter pays” principle in Indian environmental jurisprudence.
2. The Vellore Citizens’ Welfare Forum Case (1996)
In this case, the Supreme Court addressed the severe pollution caused by tanneries in Tamil Nadu. The court directed the closure of tanneries that did not set up adequate effluent treatment plants. This judgment reinforced the principles of sustainable development and precautionary principle, asserting that development must not compromise environmental integrity.