Endangered Birds, Renewable Energy, and India's New Constitutional Climate Right.

The article discusses the Supreme Court of India's March 2024 judgment in the case of MK Ranjitsinh & Others v. Union of India and Others, which establishes a constitutional right against the adverse effects of climate change. This landmark ruling recognizes the right to be free from climate change impacts, particularly highlighting its disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations, including women, children, and indigenous communities. While the judgment aims to balance renewable energy development with biodiversity conservation, critics argue it inadequately addresses the urgent protection needs of endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard and the Lesser Florican, potentially prioritizing large-scale renewable energy projects over ecological concerns. The ruling opens a new chapter in climate rights in India but raises questions about its practical implications for environmental protection and social justice. [Extracted from the article]