Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 20: In a landmark judgment with sweeping environmental implications, the Supreme Court of India has declared that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a constitutional obligation when it comes to protecting critically endangered species and ecosystems, including the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitat.

The ruling held that CSR cannot be treated as mere corporate charity but must be viewed as a duty under Articles?21, 48A and 51A(g) of the Constitution, reinforcing environmental protection as a fundamental value.

The apex court also ordered the undergrounding of powerlines in critical GIB zones to reduce bird mortality and ensure ecological safety, while scaling down compulsory overhead transmission restrictions to scientifically defined areas. Outside these zones, renewable energy infrastructure can now proceed with fewer regulatory hurdles, a move welcomed by industry stakeholders seeking clarity and predictability for clean energy projects.

The judgment strengthens India’s environmental governance framework by linking corporate biodiversity responsibility with constitutional mandates, balancing ecological conservation with economic development imperatives.