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Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant has underscored the need to interpret Article 21 of the Indian Constitution—which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty—as extending to the preservation of ecological conditions essential for sustaining life. Speaking at a national conference tackling human–wildlife conflict in Kerala, he argued that justice cannot be practiced selectively and emphasized that ecological justice must balance human rights with conservation imperatives.

Justice Kant pointed out that protecting the environment and securing conditions necessary for wildlife to thrive must go hand in hand with ensuring the safety and well-being of human communities, especially those living at the forest fringes and vulnerable to conflict. He noted that many victims of human–wildlife conflict are marginalized and often unaware of their legal entitlements – a gap that mandates robust legal aid delivery.

The conference, organized by NALSA and KeLSA in Thiruvananthapuram, also saw the launch of three major initiatives:

• NALSA Scheme on Access to Justice for Victims of Human–Wildlife Conflict (HWC), 2025: Designed to deliver free legal aid and timely assistance to affected families while fostering ecological balance.
• Compendium on Human–Wildlife Conflict: A comprehensive collection of national and state policies, guidelines, and judicial pronouncements.
• NALSA SPRUHA Scheme, 2025: Aimed at supporting dependents of incarcerated persons and victims of crime through legal aid, counseling, and reintegration services.

Justice Kant further highlighted the Supreme Court’s Green Bench’s pivotal role in ensuring development does not irreparably harm India’s flora and fauna, stressing that ecological justice and legal rights are inseparable in a modern democratic society.