Looking Ahead From Victory At Doon
The Indian Supreme Court's August 1988 decision against limestone quarrying in Doon Valley was vindication of grassroots activism. By their awareness and action, the Valley's people have helped the cause of ecologically sustainable and socially equitable utilisation of nature's resources. This was, after all, the first major environmental public interest litigation of its kind in the Court. Perhaps it is time to draw lessons from the Doon's experience, to reflect on the past and to look at the challenges that lie ahead.
Today, there are more and more public interest environmental cases being filed in the courts of India. What was the uniqueness of Doon Valley and its people that the litigation went in their favour? There was a time when environmental researchers doing village surveys had to be fearful of the limestone mafia in the Valley. Today, it is common to take the side of the environment and against limestone quarries -in fact it is risky not to do so!