The strict stance taken by the Supreme Court to protect and keep protected forests, national wildlife sanctuaries and national parks away from human activities is definitely a big step towards saving the environment. While hearing the PILs regarding forest conservation, the court made its stand clear that there cannot be any laxity or carelessness in the matter of environmental protection. In this case, the court has issued an important order asking to create environmentally sensitive areas in every protected forest area. The radius of this area will be at least one kilometer. Within this one kilometer radius, any kind of construction, mining, factory or industrial unit or any such human activity which is likely to harm the forest and its environment will be prohibited. No permanent construction of any kind can be done in this restricted area. It seems that the Supreme Court was forced to take this strict action because the state governments seem to be failing in saving the forests and such activities are increasing rapidly in the forest areas which are causing huge losses to them. If seen, the work of protecting protected forest areas lies with the state governments. There is a separate big department of forest department in every state. It does not seem that it has any shortage in resources and rights. Yet surprisingly, the threat to protected forest areas is increasing. Incidents of deforestation and encroachment are increasing in forest areas. However, local people are allowed to grow forest produce and graze their cattle in protected areas. But it is seen that people encroach, construct, cut wood and thus the forest wealth of the protected forest area is being harmed in every way. If such activities are not stopped, then surely the protected forests will lose their natural form one day or the other and ultimately humans will have to bear the brunt of this in the form of environmental destruction. If the governments wish, they can also increase the scope of sensitive area in the protected forest, but the radius of one kilometer will have to be kept minimum. Actually, encroachment on forest land is a big problem. The expansion of cities has further increased this. However, increasing human needs are the major reason for this. It is natural for the area of cities to increase with the increase in population and its needs. Today, with the expansion of cities and metros, it is not easy to save forest land. Again, urbanization itself has been made synonymous with development. In such a situation, how will it be possible to limit human activities? Forest Conservation Act was brought in order to stop illegal cutting of trees from forests. But the rapid exploitation of forests in the last few decades has created great dangers. The environmental balance has been disturbed and its consequences are visible in the form of natural disasters. Obviously, in such a situation a balance will have to be struck between development and environment. This concern of the Supreme Court is hidden in the necessity of creating sensitive areas in protected forests.