HC protects Mohali green belt; bans tree felling, construction | Chandigarh News
Mohali: The Punjab and Haryana high court has ordered protection of a 23-acre site in Sector 69, Mohali, where surveys have recorded 846 full-grown trees, diverse flora and fauna, and water bodies. Acting on the court’s directions, authorities have imposed a complete ban on tree felling and construction activity at the site.The order was issued by the principal chief conservator of forests (head of forest force) in compliance with directions passed in a PIL filed by the Environment Protection Society against the Punjab govt and others.Under the order, neither Gmada nor any private party can cut trees at the site. Any future activity will require compliance with the high court’s directions and permissions from the competent authorities.The site was surveyed through drones and physical inspections involving representatives of the Environment Protection Society, Gmada, the municipal corporation and private stakeholders. The exercise documented 846 mature trees besides significant flora, fauna and water bodies, and identified the area as having high biodiversity value.According to the Environment Protection Society, the chief wildlife warden has also recorded the presence of Category-I protected birds and animals at the site, meaning no activity affecting these species can be undertaken without prior approval.Gmada has been directed to plan the area in a way that minimises tree loss and seek assistance from the forest department to protect the existing green cover and wildlife habitat.The Environment Protection Society has urged Gmada to preserve the site as a biodiversity park or urban jungle, calling it the “lungs” of the city’s urban landscape. It has suggested that the proposed urban jungle in Sector 97 be shifted elsewhere if required.HS Minhas, president of the Environment Protection Society, said the directions would help safeguard the site’s rich biodiversity and existing green cover.Any activity at the site will require prior approval from the HC, the DFO and other authorities under applicable tree protection laws.
