Basali (Ropar), May 11
A large luxury resort being developed on ecologically fragile land in the Lower Shivalik Hills near Ropar has come under the scanner of the Punjab Forest Department for alleged violation of the Forest Act. The entire area where the resort is being constructed is reportedly protected under the Forest Conservation Act.

According to official sources, a large area in these foothills is being levelled by a Delhi-based developer to build a resort near Basali village, about 25 km off the Ropar-Nangal road. The resort is 50 km from Anandpur Sahib.

The sources said the Punjab Forest Department today began an enquiry into how the resort was coming up. The department got to know about the construction two days back. The villagers of the area, however, claim that the Gram Panchayats of Brari, Basoli, Chandpur and Kangar villages had been knocking at the doors of different officials for the last several months but in vain.

In these months the builders constructed huts and a restaurant. Two swimming pools are also under construction. Since the area has a low water table two tubewells have been bored without the permission of the authorities concerned. Enquiries reveal that the plantation done by the Forest Department on a large area was levelled for planting roses. About three acres have been covered for raising a shed to rear milch cattle.

The developer of the resort, Mr Gurvinder Singh Chopra, when contacted by The Tribune, claimed that the construction was not in violation of the Forest Act. “I own 1540 acres of land out of which 1464 acres is protected under the Forest Act and around 100 acres is not forest land for which I have the demarcation papers. Construction is going on this piece of land”, he stated adding that he was developing a nature resort and would retain the forest land as such.

On the other hand, the Forest Department disputes this saying the construction is in sheer violation of the Forest Act. In the revenue record, the land is indicated as Gar mumkin janglat (forests). The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr A.S.Dogra, said “a preliminary enquiry has revealed that the construction and change of land use is in violation of the Forest Act. Prima facie it appears to be a violation of the Forest Act.” After the case came to by notice, I deputed an officer to go for spot inspection, said Mr Dogra.

A team of the Forest Department, led by the Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr Kuldeep Singh, along with the Conservator of Forests, Mr Swaran Singh, was sent to the resort for detailed inquiry. “We will probe the matter and take it to the logical conclusion”.

When The Tribune team visited the spot, a large work force and construction material was seen. The fragile land has been ploughed with the help of a JCB and fenced with barbered wire. Construction activity is in full swing for the past few months right under the nose of the Punjab Forest Department, allege villagers. In the process of levelling land, a number of fully grown trees and other wild growth have been uprooted.