The United Nations Commission on Environment and Development defines ‘sustainable development’ as follows: “Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainable development clearly postulates an anthropocentric bias, least concerned with the rights of other species which live on this earth. Anthropocentrism is always human-interest focused thinking that considers non-humans as having only instrumental value to humans,
in other words, humans take precedence and human responsibilities towards non-human are based on benefits to humans. Eco-centrism is nature-centred, where humans are part of nature and non-humans have intrinsic value. In other words, human interest does not take automatic precedence and humans have obligations towards non-humans independently of human interest. Eco-centrism is, therefore, life-centred, nature-centred where nature includes both humans and non-humans. The Constitution of India protects not only human rights but also casts an obligation on human beings to protect and preserve a specie from becoming extinct. Conservation and protection of environment is an inseparable part of the fundamental right to life. According to the doctrine of ‘public trust’ recognized under the Constitution of India, certain common properties such as rivers, seashores, forests and the air are held by the Government in trusteeship for the free and unimpeded use of the general public. The resources like air, sea, waters and the forests have such a great importance to the people as a whole, that it would be totally unjustified to make them a subject of private ownership. The State, as a custodian of the natural resources, has a duty to maintain them not merely for the benefit of the public, but for the best interest of flora and fauna, wildlife and so on.
Which of the following statements is incorrect according to the doctrine of ‘public trust’?
Correct Answer :
State is obligated to maintain forests for their economic value.
Solution :
Correct Option: State is obligated to maintain forests for their economic value.
Explanation:
Let us analyze the given passage and the doctrine of ‘public trust’ step-by-step to identify the incorrect statement:
1. According to the passage, under the doctrine of ‘public trust’, certain common properties such as rivers, seashores, forests, and air are held by the Government in trusteeship for the free and unimpeded use of the general public.
2. The passage explicitly states that because these resources are of great importance to people as a whole, it is totally unjustified to make them a subject of private ownership. Thus, the statement "Private ownership of forests is unwarranted" is correct according to the doctrine.
3. Holding properties in trusteeship means the State acts in a fiduciary capacity for the public and nature. Therefore, the statement "Forests are held by the State in Fiduciary capacity" is correct.
4. The passage specifies that the State, as a custodian of natural resources, has a duty to maintain them not merely for the benefit of the public, but for the best interest of flora and fauna, wildlife, and so on (incorporating eco-centric principles). Therefore, the statement "State is obligated to maintain forests in the interest of humans and non-humans" is correct.
5. Nowhere does the doctrine of ‘public trust’ or the passage state that the State is obligated to maintain forests for their economic value. In fact, maintaining them purely for economic gain contradicts eco-centrism and public trust principles described in the text.
Hence, the incorrect statement according to the doctrine of ‘public trust’ is: "State is obligated to maintain forests for their economic value."
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