PAC seeks demarcation of green buffer zones and forest areas in Ludh
Activists Amandeep Singh Bains and Kapil Arora highlighted that a notification issued on October 18, 2018, by the department of town and country planning specified requirements for a 15-metre green belt around the populated part of villages and between red category industry and residential areas. Additionally, it required 30-metre green zones alongside major canals and 10-metre zones near minor canals in Punjab.
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he forest department, MC, and Glada continue to authorise projects that disregard these requirements. These infractions persist because Ludhiana's master plan lacks clear provisions regarding green buffer zones and forest areas. Kuldeep Singh Khaira noted that while Ludhiana has various small forest areas, their precise location remains unclear due to the absence of publicly available forest cover maps.
This prevents the identification of potential forest land encroachments. Despite six years passing, no green buffer zones have been established near water bodies or villages, even as unauthorised developments have mushroomed in these areas. Jaskirat Singh pointed out that the forest department is inappropriately permitting tree removal along the Sidhwan Canal's project frontages, contradicting forest policy. Additionally, several minor canals have been covered in concrete after tree removal, without reinstating the required green buffer zones. Adjacent colonies are now unlawfully occupying this land. All departments should verify projects against Ludhiana's Master Plan before approval.
The activists stated that they would approach the National Green Tribunal for directives if the departments failed to respond within three weeks.
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