The Supreme Court of India acted wisely to protect both the nation’s democracy and environment in a landmark decision last week that orders the government to scrap 214 coal mining concessions. Among the cancellations is a concession granted to Essar Energy and its Indian partner, Hindalco Industries, in the Mahan forest in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Local communities had fought bitterly to block the mine, which they feared would destroy large tracts of the forest where they live.

Such protests have greatly annoyed the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It has shown little tolerance for what it perceives as environmental interference with its development agenda. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has moved to exempt proposals to expand coal-mining operations from the public hearings that were previously required. A report from the Intelligence Bureau accusing Greenpeace India, which had vigorously protested the Mahan project, of threatening India’s “national economic security” somehow leaked. Then Mr. Modi’s government blocked the organization’s financing. (In early September, the Delhi High Court ordered the government to lift the ban.)

Meanwhile, the Environment Ministry has set up a panel to review various bedrock national laws protecting forests, wildlife, clean water and clean air, with a view to overturning requirements industry doesn’t like. The government is also seeking to undo a reformed Land Acquisition Act that was approved last year and requires fair compensation for and restoration of lands seized for development. The law requires private companies to obtain the consent of 80 percent of the people whose land they wish to acquire. Industry has complained the new requirements are too onerous.

On the eve of his departure for the United States last week, Mr. Modi opened his “Make in India” campaign to attract foreign investment. No doubt India’s laws and regulations merit reform, and the government needs investment to kick-start the energy and other infrastructure developments the country needs so badly. But Mr. Modi should heed the strong message from the courts that gutting environmental protection laws and demonizing citizen groups that raise legitimate concerns are no way to move the nation forward.