JUDGMENT

HANSARIA, J.- Nainital, a beautiful butterfly, is said to be turning into an ugly caterpillar. According to the petitioner, this is due to: (1) water pollution; (2) air pollution; (3) noise pollution; and (4) "VIP pollution". This has naturally caused concern to all nature lovers and environmentalists, apart from the enlightened residents of Nainital. The concern has been felt to such an extent that a "Save Nainital Workshop" was organised by none else than the Department of Tourism and Environment of the U.P. Government in September 1989. In this workshop many papers were presented on different aspects highlighting sudden rise in vehicular traffic, illegal construction, encroachment and squatting, clustering, noise pollution, vanishing greenery resulting in landslides on Cheena Peak, maintenance of drains and pollution in the lake which has virtually become a dumping ground for rubble and public sewage. Despite organising of such a workshop, nothing much seems to have been done to preserve the pristine beauty of Nainital. Hence, by this petition Dr Rawat, who is a member of social action group called "Nainital Bachao Samiti", has approached this Court seeking its assistan