ABSTRACT
This chapter critically examines the role played by Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the protection and enhancement of biodiversity in India. It explains how the Indian higher judiciary has intervened through PIL to apply the principle of Sustainable Development to deal with a variety of issues related to conservation of forests, protection of wildlife, protection of the rights of tribal people and forest dwellers, etc. The chapter also provides a critical appraisal of various judgments involving the application of Sustainable Development, Precautionary Principle and public trust, and argues for the due compliance of the Court’s Orders and Directions regarding conservation along with the effective implementation of laws.
