M.M.S UNDRESH, J

1. In view of the common issues involved in both appeals, they have been taken up together for disposal.

2. The brief facts of the case in a nutshell are as follows:

i. The 1st appellant is a Society registered under the Societies Registration Act. It was established in the year 1990 being an autonomous Centre of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. It was promoted by the Bombay Natural History Society, which is also an autonomous and a registered society. The 1st appellant is governed by its own Memorandum of Association having its own Rules and Regulations framed by it. As per the Rules and Regulations, the membership of the appellant society would consist of eminent Ornithologist, Environmentalist, Administrators and Social and Physical Scientist.

ii. The principal object of the appellant society is to "develop an institution of excellence in the fields of Ornithology and Natural History". The appellant society has a large number of research projects in various parts of the country including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The executive organ of the appellant society is the governing council which shall function under the di