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1. Global maturity in recent years in regard to the concept of ecological imbalance cannot in any way be doubted - but what does the expression 'ecology' means: Ecology in common acceptation mean and imply the study of home or the household of nature to be kept in order. George L. Clarke in his Elements of Ecology has stated that every living thing is surrounded by materials and forces which constitute its environment and from which it must derive its needs and contact with the environment is inescapable. It is on this perspective, it is to be considered as to whether on the wake of Twenty First century when there is such an awareness and maturity throughout the Globe in regard to maintenance of ecological equilibrium, Law Courts should be justified to lend a blind eye and deaf ear in regard to this concept of ecological imbalance if raised before it. Ecological imbalance, undoubtedly, is a social problem and in this context the observations of the Calcutta High Court in Calcutta Youth Front and Anr. v. State of West Bengal and Anr., 1986 (2) CLJ 26, seem to be rather apposite. In that decision, the Court held:

"An ecological problem in contrast is a special type of social problem. To speak of a phenomenon as a social problem is not to suggest merely, or perhaps at all, that we do not understand how it comes about: It is labelled a problem not because, like a scientific problem, it presents an obstacle to our understanding of the world but rather because - consider alcoholism, crime, deaths on the roads - we believe that our society would be better off without it".

2. As noted above, there is no manner of doubt that this is a social problem and considering the impact of the problem on the society, in our view, Law Courts ought to rise up to the occasion to deal with the situation as it demands in the present-day context: Law Courts have a social duty since it is a part of the society and as such, must always function having due regard to the present-day problems which the society faces. It is now a well settled principle of law that socio-economic condition of the country cannot be ignored and social problems shall have to be dealt with in the way and in the manner called for, since benefit to the society ought to be the prime consideration of the Law Courts.

9. We do feel it expedient to record that Law Courts should rise up to the occasion to deal with the situation as it demands in the present day context: it has a social duty since it is a part of the society and as such must always exercise its jurisdiction and deal with the issues in a manner and in consonance with the present day requirement of the society - the socio-economic condition of the country ought not to be ignored by a Court of Law and problems of the nature as the present one, shall have to be dealt with in the way and in the manner called for since conferment of benefit to the society ought to be the prime consideration of the Law Courts, as noted above, and it is on this perspective that this matter needs to be dealt with.