THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) IN ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL HARM: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF SUPREME COURT AND NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL JURISPRUDENCE

This article evaluates the effectiveness of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in addressing environmental damage in India, focusing on Supreme Court jurisprudence and the National Green Tribunal (NGT). It discusses principles like Polluter Pays, Precautionary Principle, Public Trust, and Absolute Liability, comparing the Supreme Court’s broad interventions with the NGT’s technical adjudication. Through a review of cases such as Delhi NCR air pollution and Uttarakhand mining, it concludes that while PIL has significantly advanced environmental rights and policy changes, challenges remain due to implementation gaps, insufficient resources, and procedural issues. The paper suggests reforms to enhance regulatory enforcement, clarify jurisdiction, bolster the NGT's capacity, and promote public involvement for enduring environmental justice.