"...it is not made clear by the AUDA (Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority) as to what was the necessity of changing the purpose for which the land was reserved, namely from recreational to residential zone. In the absence of any specific reason assigned for such proposed change it is a matter of guess whether such a change was made keeping in view the interest and protection of the wild life and the environment or there was some direct or indirect pressure of the builders and private contractors who were interested in utilising the land for raising constructions...'

Thus ruled the Gujarat High Court in what has come to be known as the Gopalnagar lake case. Sandeep Brahmabhat, a postal department employee and a bird watcher, filed a public interest petition to prevent the development of a