Sustainable development fundamental right of people: SC

The Supreme Court has ruled that sustainable development is an integral part of fundamental rights conferred on citizens by the Constitution. The Apex court said this cannot be allowed to be hampered by environmental degradation. A bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam said the damage caused to environment due to illegal mining in Karnataka has shocked judicial conscience and long arm of the law is to be demonstrated in such cases.

While referring to illegal mining in the state, the bench said it has had a chilling and crippling effect on ecology and environment. Apart from playing havoc on the national economy, it had cast an ominous cloud on the credibility of the system of governance by laws in force, the court added.