Association For Enviornment ... vs State Of Kerala & Ors

The Supreme Court recognized the 'Doctrine of the Public Trust' as a fundamental principle in environmental law, asserting that the State holds natural resources like air, water, and forests in trust for public use and enjoyment. The Court emphasized that these resources cannot be subjected to private ownership or commercial exploitation, reinforcing the duty of the State to protect the environment as mandated by Article 48-A and Article 51-A(g) of the Constitution. The judgment builds upon previous rulings, notably M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath, establishing a legal framework for environmental protection in India.