SC Mandates Environmental Responsibility in CSR; Protects Great Indian Bustard

• Supreme Court ruled that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) must inherently include environmental responsibility, making it a constitutional obligation, not charity.
• The ruling came during a plea to protect the endangered Great Indian Bustard (Godawan) from non-renewable power generators in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• The Court cited Article 51A(g) of the Constitution and Sections 135 & 166(2) of the Companies Act, 2013, broadening directors' fiduciary duties to include environmental protection.
• CSR funds must be directed towards ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts, especially for endangered species, applying the "polluter pays" principle.
• Strict restrictions imposed on new wind turbines, large solar parks, and overhead power lines in revised priority conservation areas for the Great Indian Bustard in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Why It Matters: Supreme Court mandates environmental protection as a core, constitutional duty within corporate social responsibility.