On December 19, 2025, the Supreme Court declared that corporate social responsibility (CSR) must include environmental protection. A Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Atul S. Chandurkar said companies have a legal duty to protect the environment as key parts of society. The Court said CSR is not just charity but a Constitutional duty under Article 51A(g). This article requires every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. Justice Narasimha explained, "Companies cannot assert to be socially responsible while ignoring equal claims of the environment and other beings of the ecosystem. A corporation, as a legal person and a key organ of society, shares this fundamental duty." The ruling came after petitions raised concerns about the Great Indian Bustard, an endangered bird found near the Thar desert. The Court ordered companies involved in activities like mining or power generation near the bird’s habitat to act responsibly. They must follow the “polluter pays” principle and use CSR funds for protection and conservation efforts. The Court approved an expert committee’s suggestion to expand conservation areas to 14,013 sq km in Rajasthan and 740 sq km in Gujarat. Measures for protecting and monitoring the bustard, including climate impact studies, must start immediately. A new power corridor is also allowed, ensuring a safe distance of at least 5 km from the Desert National Park’s southern enclosure in Rajasthan. This verdict expands the meaning of CSR law, making environmental care a must for all corporations in India.