Article 21 must extend to preservation of ecological conditions: Justice Surya Kant

Supreme Court judge and Executive Chairman, NALSA, Justice Surya Kant delivered the Inaugural Address today at the Southern Regional Conference organised by National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), in collaboration with the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA).

Delivering the Inaugural Address, Justice Surya Kant emphasised that human–wildlife conflict is not merely an environmental concern but also a matter of justice and governance.

He underscored that legal aid must reach vulnerable communities living at forest fringes and that ecological justice requires balancing human rights with conservation imperatives. Stressing the indivisibility of rights, he observed: “Justice cannot be permitted to operate selectively—neither in its substance nor in its application. Article 21, which enshrines the right to life and personal security, must be understood as extending also to the preservation of ecological conditions essential for the sustenance of that life.” 

As part of the inaugural programme, NALSA launched three major initiatives, along with dedicated videos to enhance public outreach. They are: 

1. The NALSA Scheme on Access to Justice for Victims of Human–Wildlife Conflict (HWC), 2025
2. Compendium on Human Wildlife Conflict
3. NALSA SPRUHA (Supporting Potential and Resilience of the Unseen, Held-back and Affected) Scheme, 2025

Justice Kant highlighted the scope, applicability and alleviation mechanisms sought to be implemented by the human wildlife conflict scheme and the SPRUHA scheme. 

The two-day conference has brought together Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, senior officials from forest and disaster management departments, legal services institutions, and experts to deliberate on legal, policy, and community-based responses to the growing challenge of human wildlife conflict.

The Conference will continue on 31st August 2025 with six thematic sessions focusing on habitat loss, disaster management linkages, compensation frameworks, and tribal rights, reaffirming NALSA’s commitment to take justice beyond courtrooms – reaching vulnerable communities, addressing emerging challenges, and fostering a future of coexistence, compassion, and inclusivity.

Keynote Address was delivered by Justice Vikram Nath who referred to a recent order passed by a Supreme Court bench led by him on the issue concerning stray dogs and said, "So long I have been known in the legal fraternity for the little work that I do, but I am thankful to the stray dogs for making me known in civil society, not only in this country but world over. And I am also thankful to my Chief Justice for allotting me that matter."

Notably, Justice BV Nagarathna also spoke at the conference and observed that India has historically upheld a cultural ethos of coexistence with animals, maintaining a delicate balance between humans and nature. She further cautioned against emerging human-centric trends

The event also saw the gracious presence of Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha, Justice Aravind Kumar, and Justice Sarasa Venkatanarayana Bhatti, Judges of the Supreme Court of India. An address was also delivered by Justice MM Sundresh who invoked the words of Hubert Reeves to underline the urgency of environmental consciousness: “Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible God and destroys a visible Nature, unaware that this Nature he is destroying is the God he is worshipping.”