- The Supreme Court addressed issues surrounding post-facto environmental clearances (ECs), where projects operate or are constructed without prior statutory environmental appraisal. - Post-facto clearance is fundamentally contrary to the preventive philosophy of environmental jurisprudence and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. - The legal debate focuses on how to handle pending cases and operational projects that bypassed initial Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms while balancing economic development and ecological damage. - Such clearances undermine the core mandate of sustainable development and the 'precautionary principle'. - **Environment (Protection) Act, 1986:** An umbrella legislation enacted in 1986 under Article 253, empowering the Central Government to coordinate actions, set standards, and frame rules for protecting and improving the quality of the environment. - **Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006:** A statutory framework under the EPA that mandates prior environmental appraisal and clearance for specified developmental and industrial projects before any construction or operational activity begins. - **Post-Facto Environmental Clearance:** The practice of granting environmental approval to a project after it has already been established, constructed, or operated without obtaining prior statutory environmental clearance. **Introduction** The Supreme Court of India is examining pending cases concerning post-facto environmental clearances, addressing the legality and environmental repercussions of granting permissions to projects that functioned or developed without prior statutory environmental assessments. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The Supreme Court addressed issues surrounding post-facto environmental clearances (ECs), where projects operate or are constructed without prior statutory environmental appraisal. - Post-facto clearance is fundamentally contrary to the preventive philosophy of environmental jurisprudence and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. - The legal debate focuses on how to handle pending cases and operational projects that bypassed initial Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms while balancing economic development and ecological damage. - Such clearances undermine the core mandate of sustainable development and the 'precautionary principle'. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Environment (Protection) Act, 1986:** An umbrella legislation enacted in 1986 under Article 253, empowering the Central Government to coordinate actions, set standards, and frame rules for protecting and improving the quality of the environment. - **Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006:** A statutory framework under the EPA that mandates prior environmental appraisal and clearance for specified developmental and industrial projects before any construction or operational activity begins. - **Post-Facto Environmental Clearance:** The practice of granting environmental approval to a project after it has already been established, constructed, or operated without obtaining prior statutory environmental clearance.