India is the first country to adopt an eco-centric approach over a human-centric one in international jurisprudence. This shift prioritizes the well-being of the entire ecosystem rather than just human needs. Supreme Court judge Justice PS Narasimha highlighted this development at the National Conference on Environment-2025. The move reflects a broader commitment to environmental protection in legal frameworks.
New Delhi: Supreme Court Justice PS Narasimha stated on Sunday that India is the first country in international jurisprudence to transition from an anthropocentric approach to an eco-centric one.
An anthropocentric perspective prioritizes human beings as the most significant entities on Earth, valuing other beings and things mainly for their utility to humans.
In contrast, the eco-centric approach emphasizes the health of the entire ecosystem and its components, recognizing nature as valuable for its own sake, rather than solely for human benefit.
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Justice Narasimha made these comments during the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference on Environment-2025, organized by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) at Vigyan Bhawan.
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar was the chief guest at the event. Justice Narasimha highlighted the importance of such conferences, noting that they unite a diverse range of stakeholders in a shared vision to restore the environment.
He said,
“Conferences like this bring people together and enable sharing of thought, and the acceptance of new visions and ideas. After one such conference I borrowed an idea, and as an amicus (friend of the court), I submitted to the court that the anthropocentric approach to the environment is not suitable for us and there should be a shift to eco-centric thought. I think it is the first time that our Supreme Court accepted the submission. And in international jurisprudence, we were the first country, or rather the first court, to shift from anthropocentric to eco-centric approach.”
He attributed this shift to India’s cultural outlook, which has never regarded humans as superior to the environment, but instead sees ecology as a living entity of which humans are a part.
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Justice Narasimha remarked,
“If you go back to the basics and think of simple remedies available at our grassroots, we will be able to shift from what was imposed on the environment by the West and give rise to simple and practical ideas to restore the earth to its pristine position,”
He commended the NGT for its role in organizing the conference. With climate change impacting every aspect of human life, he emphasized the need for preparedness, stating,
“We must be ready in such a way that we lead the world with our ideas and innovation.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who also spoke at the event, highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to tackle environmental issues.
He said,
“Environmental issues in India are grave, but they are being taken seriously. Though the problems are many, they are not insurmountable. If we act now, we can restore the balance of nature and ensure a healthier future for generations to come,”
NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted that the conference facilitated meaningful discussions on environmental preservation and sustainability by bringing together brilliant minds, scientists, policymakers, legal experts, and grassroots activists.
He stated,
“Four tactical sessions in the conference offered valuable insights into key environmental concerns—air, water, forest, and the collective way forward,”
President Droupadi Murmu was the chief guest at the conference’s inaugural session on Saturday.