The Supreme Court today declined to interfere with the environmental clearance granted for the acquisition of forest land in Kerala’s Ambukuthi region for a government medical college project, holding that where expert bodies have applied their mind and imposed detailed conditions, judicial review would remain limited, particularly when safeguards exist for monitoring compliance.

The challenge was brought by Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi, which opposed the project on the grounds that the area formed part of an ecologically fragile zone in the Western Ghats, raising concerns over landslides, biodiversity loss, and improper environmental appraisal. It was argued that the project ought to have been treated as a Category A project requiring stricter central-level appraisal, and that the process followed suffered from procedural lapses and a lack of independent application of mind by expert committees.

The Court, however, noted that the Central Expert Appraisal Committee had considered the project and granted clearance subject to numerous stringent conditions, indicating application of mind rather than mechanical approval. The Court observed:

“it is not a case where any mechanical decision has been taken. These conditions are very rigorous conditions…And what should be the effort of every stakeholder should be that these conditions are meticulously followed and complied. Once you follow all these things, we see no reason that this project can have any adverse impact anywhere. The only thing is, somebody will have to closely watch the compliance of these conditions. Fortunately, you have an NGT bench there in the nearby area.”

It also observed that even if there were concerns regarding environmental risks or implementation, the High Court had rightly granted liberty to approach the National Green Tribunal in case of any violation of conditions or environmental harm during execution. Emphasising that such projects involve technical evaluation best left to expert bodies, the Court held that it would not substitute its own assessment in the absence of clear illegality or perversity.

Accordingly, finding no reason to interfere with the interim order of the High Court, the Supreme Court disposed of the matter while reiterating that compliance with environmental conditions must be strictly monitored and that affected parties remain free to seek remedies before the NGT if violations arise during the course of the project.