(1.) COURTS below concurrently found petitioners and another guilty of the offence under section 27 (1) (g) of the Kerala Forest Act, and sentenced them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three months and to pay a fine of Rs.300 with a default sentence. On 18.5.1984, P.Ws. 1, 2 and other Forest Officials found petitioners moving pieces of lead tree in the reserved forests. They were removing it out of the forest. This was seized under Exhibit P.1. Acting on the evidence of P.Ws.1 and 2 COURTS below found the charge.
(2.) LEARNED counsel submitted that evidence does not establish the charge, and that the evidence is not reliable either. The Courts on facts have considered this aspect and found that there was reliable evidence to establish the change. I am in agreement with the view taken by the Courts below.
(3.) THE ancients had greater awareness of nature and its role in human life. THE epics a mythole-gies- referred to earth and nature as Godness. THE Greeks decified nature and worshipped. Industrial pollution and destruction of nature upsetting zeological balance have turned to be frightening mesance. Industrial effluents and fumes have pelluted air. THE high areas of the world have become global dumping grounds. An industrial society progressing by leaps and bounds to material wealth has mindlessly hurt environment almost to a point of no return. It has to be restored to its pristine gurily, if life on the planet should prevail.