Judgment

Y.K. SABHARWAL, J. - Natural resources are the assets of the entire nation. It is the obligation of all concerned, including the Union Government and State Governments to conserve and not waste these resources. Article 48 - A of the Constitution requires that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forest and wildlife of the country. Under Article 51 - A, it is the duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.

2. In the present case, the question is about conservation, preservation and protection of forests and the ecology. When forest land is used for non - forest purposes, what measures are required to be taken to compensate for loss of forest land and to compensate for the effect on the ecology, is the IT: - main question under consideration.

3. Forests are a vital component to sustain the life support system on the earth. Forests in India have been dwindling over the years for a number of reasons, one of it being the need to use forest area for development activities including economic development. Undoubtedly