MOHAMMED, J. :- What is before us is a theme of intense debate involving the use and occupation of forest lands and its inevitable reaction to ecological balance and environmental outfit. This is brought to us by way of a 'public interest litigation' moved by a registered Society known as "Nature Lovers Movement".

2. 'Love of nature' is not a modern phenomenon. It existed from the beginning of the humanity itself. "Man is the measure of all things," so said Plato. Man loves nature and nature in turn nourishes him. Man serves society and society in turn preserves him. Nature and society are thus inter-dependent and the duty of man to them is inherent. These basic percepts envisage the protection of environment and preservation of humanity. But "For the greenest of environmentalists, humans are of lesser importance than the abundant and diverse flora and fauna of the planet. Humans are defined as a recent addition to the livestock and are considered to have been a wholly disruptive influence on a world which was paradise before their arrival."(1) But the globalization of economic development as a result of constant endeavour of humans cannot be whittled down or destroyed for