(1.) The ideas drawn from sacred texts of the world have proffered to worship and respect nature and impel mankind to preserve the same. This, in essence, is the doctrine of intergenerational equity.
(2.) This Court, in State of Bihar vs. Murad Ali Khan, (1988) 4 SCC 655 ("Murad Ali Khan") speaking through Venkatachaliah, J. (as the learned Chief Justice then was) observed that "the tragedy of the predicament of the civilised man is that, Every source from which man has increased his power on earth has been used to diminish the prospects of his successors. All his progress is being made at the expense of damage to the environment which he cannot repair and cannot foresee."
(3.) This Court in M.C. Mehta vs. Kamal Nath, (1997) 1 SCC 388 ("M.C. Mehta"), speaking through Kuldip Singh, J. observed that, "..the executive acting under the doctrine of public trust cannot abdicate the natural resources and convert them into private ownership, or for commercial use. The aesthetic use and the pristine glory of the natural resources, the environment and the ecosystems of our country cannot be permitted to be eroded for private, commercial or any other use unless the courts find it necessary, in good faith, for the public good and in public interest to encroach upon the said resources."