Public Trust Doctrine and the Legal System: Protecting Public Resources Through Law

The Public Trust Doctrine (PTD) constitutes a legal precept that mandates the state to safeguard specific resources such as water, air, forests, and coastal zones for public utilisation. This investigation explores the historical progression, interpretive approaches, and practical application of PTD across global legal systems, emphasising its pivotal role in environmental stewardship and the preservation of public assets. Employing doctrinal and comparative methodologies, this study assesses judicial enforcement, delineates obstacles in embedding PTD within national legal structures, and offers recommendations to enhance its efficacy. The findings highlight PTD's critical function as an instrument for reconciling public entitlements, private interests, and governmental obligations, fostering sustainable development, and ensuring intergenerational equity.