Punjab to hold public hearing on Sukhna eco-sensitive zone
Facing opposition from residents of Kansal and Karoran villages over the proposed alignment of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, the Punjab Forest Department will hold a public hearing on December 4 here.
The proposed draft width of the ESZ, varying from 100 m to 3 km, is awaiting approval from the Cabinet.
According to the proposal, the width of the ESZ on the Kansal side has been kept at one kilometre, covering Kansal village only. Considering the fact that the ESZ area falling in Kansal village is already thickly populated, it is proposed that the ESZ may be divided further into three sub-zones. In Sub-zone 1, no construction will be allowed. In Sub-zone 2, buildings with 50 per cent ground coverage and 7 m height shall be allowed; and in Sub-zone 3, buildings with 50 per cent ground coverage and 10 m height shall be allowed.
On the Karoran side, the width of ESZ shall be 1 km to 3 km, coinciding with the natural boundary. All development in the area has to be done as per Eco Tourism Development Policy.
A panel of Forest Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, Local Bodies Minister Ravjot Singh and Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian will hear public objections. The public hearing is being held on the directions of the Supreme Court, it is learnt
Punjab BJP leader Vineet Joshi along with local leaders have objected to the proposed alignment of the ESZ. He said houses, shops, hospitals, religious places, hotels etc., of Kansal, Karoran and Nadda falling under the Nayagaon Municipal Committee of Mohali district would face demolition if the Cabinet approves the proposed ESZ.
It may be mentioned that the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Punjab Government, Chandigarh administration and Union Government on a plea by Tarsem Lal, a resident of Nada village, against the 1998 notification regarding the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary on land which the petitioner claimed belonged to Punjab. The plea came after the Punjab Department of Forest and Wildlife Protection moved a proposal to the state Cabinet to declare the ESZ.
