In a groundbreaking statement, Supreme Court Justice PS Narasimha declared that India’s top court has taken a pioneering step in international jurisprudence by shifting from an anthropocentric to an eco-centric approach to environmental law. Speaking at the valedictory session of the National Conference on Environment-2025, Justice Narasimha emphasized this transformation during the event organized by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
The anthropocentric view, which regards humans as the most crucial entity on Earth, values other beings and things mainly for their utility to humans. In contrast, the eco-centric perspective prioritizes the health and welfare of the entire ecosystem, recognizing the intrinsic value of nature, not just its utility to humans.
During his address, which concluded the two-day conference, Justice Narasimha highlighted the importance of such gatherings in fostering a common vision among diverse stakeholders to restore environmental integrity. “Conferences like this enable the sharing of thoughts and the acceptance of new visions and ideas,” he noted. The justice shared that his advocacy for this philosophical shift in legal approaches towards the environment initially began as a suggestion he made as an amicus curiae, leading to its acceptance by the Supreme Court.
According to Justice Narasimha, this eco-centric shift aligns with India’s cultural perspective, which does not view humans as superior to the environment but as part of a living ecological system. “If we return to the basics and consider simple remedies available at our grassroots, we can move away from the Western-imposed environmental perspectives and restore the Earth to its pristine state,” he remarked.
The event also featured addresses by prominent figures including Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. The latter acknowledged the gravity of India’s environmental challenges but expressed optimism about overcoming them through immediate and concerted efforts.
NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that the conference facilitated meaningful discussions on environmental preservation and sustainability, attracting scientists, policymakers, legal experts, and grassroots activists. The sessions focused on critical environmental issues such as air and water quality, forest conservation, and sustainable development strategies.
