 The court relied on the principle of trust as opposed to ownership of natural resources and sought to balance the need for development with preservation of the environment.The court held that The Forest Conservation Act of 1980 was enacted with a view to check further deforestation which ultimately results in ecological imbalance and therefore, the provisions made therein for the conservation of forests and fore matters connected therewith, must apply to all forests irrespective of the nature of ownership or classification thereof.Formally known as "Vineet Narain & Ors vs Union of India" (18 December 1997).