ISSUE:
Whether overhead power lines in the habitat of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and Lesser Florican pose a critical threat to their survival and require immediate mitigation?
Whether undergrounding power lines in priority GIB habitats is necessary, and if not feasible, whether alternative measures must be implemented?
RULE:
The ecocentric approach recognizes that wildlife has intrinsic value, and conservation efforts must prioritize species protection over developmental concerns.
The public trust doctrine imposes a duty on the state to act as a guardian of natural resources, ensuring that endangered species are preserved for future generations.
Sustainable development requires that infrastructure projects must not cause irreversible harm to critically endangered species, and feasible mitigation measures must be adopted.
Article 21 of the Constitution includes the protection of biodiversity, obligating the state to take proactive conservation measures against species extinction.