NGO says Constitution tells citizens to protect environment, asks CJI to withdraw remarks

Karnataka-based environmental organization Parisarakkagi Naavu (People For Environment) has written to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and the Supreme Court to reconsider and withdraw its recent comments on environmentalists.

While hearing the case at Pipavav port in Gujarat on 11 May, the CJI made an oral remark: “You are showing us the only project in this country where these so-called environmentalists and activists are saying, ‘We welcome this project. The country is developing well, we welcome this project’. Whatever you bring to the court.”

“Environmentalists are not against development. They are against irresponsible, illegal and environmentally destructive development.”Parisarakkagi Naavu

In a letter to the Chief Justice, members of the Parisarakkagi Naavu said they were reacting to the bench’s recent observation suggesting that environmentalists are only trying to stop development in the name of environment.

“Environmentalists are not against development. They are against irresponsible, illegal and ecologically destructive development. Environmentalists generally intervene only when there are concerns about the environmental consequences of a project – such as insufficient environmental assessment, unnecessary destruction of trees or water bodies, failure to comply with ecological safeguards or long-term impact on the ecology and health of future generations,” says Ramatmasmy, a letter signed by ElaATmaswajavit Reddy Niravari, Parashuramegowda, Parvathi Sriram, Sikandar CH, Mahesh Basapur and RN Venugopal

He added that when projects proceed responsibly and in accordance with the law, there are naturally no grounds for public objections or protests.

I quote the Constitution

They pointed out that the Indian Constitution recognizes the importance of environmental protection. Article 51A(g) imposes a fundamental duty on every citizen to “protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife,” said Parisarakkagi Naavu. “Citizens and environmental groups who challenge projects that may cause unnecessary environmental damage are therefore not hindering the nation – they are fulfilling a constitutional duty.”

They cited various examples of projects that were opposed by environmental groups in Karnataka over the years and that these projects later turned out to have serious environmental, legal and health consequences.

The proposed ropeway project to Chamundi Hills in Mysuru, KRS theme park, coal-fired thermal power plant at Chamalapur near Mysuru, Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region and diversion of land from the century-old KSIC Silk Filature Factory at T. Narasipura for construction of a stadium are cited in the letter.

Not conflicting goals

The signatories stated that development and environmental protection are not conflicting goals.

“In fact, environmental protection is essential for meaningful and sustainable development. A society cannot call itself developed if its rivers are poisoned, its air unbreathable, its lakes dead and its cities uninhabitable,” they said.

They further added that they demand that environmentalists and civic groups acting in good faith should not be painted with a broad brush as anti-development forces. “Many of them are ordinary citizens serving society selflessly, often without recognition, resources or institutional support, driven only by concern for our country’s ecological future,” they said.

Urging the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court to reconsider and retract their recent remarks, they said such remarks may create an inaccurate public perception of citizens and organizations that are only fulfilling their constitutional duty to protect the environment.

Published – May 26, 2026 12:06 PM IST