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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mohali: SC-appointed panel probes green violations in Mohali villages
Acting on complaints of violations of forest and wildlife protection laws in villages such as Karoran, Siswan, and Masol in Mohali district, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court of India, conducted a site visit on Monday. The committee was accompanied by Dharam Sharma, principal chief conservator of forests, Punjab, and Divya P, sub-divisional magistrate of Kharar. The inspection included a visit to Bans Bagh (Bamboo Farm) in Siswan and Forest Hill Resort in Karoran village. The complainants were also present during the visit and shared their concerns directly with the committee, which asked them to appear for a formal hearing. Following this, the CEC is expected to conduct a comprehensive site inspection to assess the extent of damage to forest land, wildlife and the local environment. It will also evaluate the effectiveness of timely interventions by government departments concerned. Based on its findings, a report will be submitted to the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change. As per a press statement issued by Forest Hill Resort, the management submitted all relevant approvals, and orders from the Punjab and Haryana high court and the Supreme Court that support their operations. The villages in question fall under the jurisdiction of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, and are protected by the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, as well as Supreme Court orders. Even during the delisting process for certain areas, the apex court had explicitly prohibited any commercial activity without prior approval from the Government of India. Despite these restrictions, large-scale violations—particularly illegal hill-cutting—have allegedly persisted for years, resulting in the degradation of ecologically sensitive and biodiversity-rich regions of the Shivalik Hills. Local residents and environmental activists have accused the forest department, district administration, GMADA and panchayati raj institutions of negligence and failure to curb rampant encroachments. The Central Empowered Committee, established by the Supreme Court in 2002 and reconstituted in 2008, functions as an advisory and monitoring body in cases related to forest and wildlife conservation. It assists in identifying non-compliance with environmental laws and court directives, and recommends appropriate enforcement actions to the environment ministry.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
SC panel's inspection reveals breach of forest norms in Mohali villages
1 2 3 Mohali: Acting on a series of complaints regarding violations of forest and wildlife protection laws in Mohali's ecologically sensitive villages — Karoran, Siswan, and Masol, the central empowered committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court, conducted a field inspection on Monday and found several breaches of forest norms. The inspection team was accompanied by Dharam Sharma, principal chief conservator of forests, Punjab, and Divya P, sub-divisional magistrate of Kharar. The site visit included sensitive locations such as Bans Bagh (Bamboo Farm) in Siswan and Forest Hill Resort in Karoran village. According to sources, the committee observed forest law violations at various sites and interacted with local complainants, who expressed their concerns in detail. The panel has now summoned the complainants for a formal hearing as it prepares a comprehensive report to be submitted to the ministry of environment, forest and climate change. The inspected villages fall under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, and are also protected by the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and directives from the Supreme Court of India. Notably, the apex court had explicitly prohibited any commercial activity in these areas without prior clearance from the Government of India—particularly during the delisting process of specific lands. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tukarkan Bitcoin dan Ethereum - Tanpa Dompet Diperlukan! IC Markets MULAI SEKARANG Undo Despite these restrictions, reports indicate that large-scale violations, especially illegal hill-cutting, have persisted for years. Environmental activists and local residents allege rampant encroachments, leading to the degradation of the biodiversity-rich Shivalik Hills. They have also accused the forest department, district administration, Gmada, and panchayati raj institutions of negligence and inaction, raising concerns over the influence of an alleged land mafia operating in the region. The central empowered committee, established in 2002 and restructured in 2008, functions as an advisory and monitoring body in forest and wildlife cases. It plays a key role in identifying violations, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and recommending enforcement actions. The committee is expected to undertake a detailed inspection in the coming weeks to assess the extent of ecological damage, effectiveness of governmental interventions, and compliance with court orders. Its findings could lead to stringent action against violators and have wider implications for conservation efforts across the state. In a statement, Forest Hill Resort director Devinder Sandhu said, "Forest Hill Resort welcomed the members of Central Empowered Committee (CEC) for visiting the resort today. The management of resort showcased the green & eco-friendly environment at the resort being maintained by them and also provided all details of various approvals and permissions along with favourable orders of Punjab & Haryana high court and Supreme Court of India operating in their favour. This project also has an approval under 2018 Eco Tourism Policy of Govt. of India granted to us. Besides all other statutory approvals from various departments like Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), excise department Punjab, Punjab Heritage & Tourism Promotion Board etc have been obtained.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
SDM Kharar inspects progress of playground development projects
The sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Kharar, Divya P visited several villages in the Kharar subdivision on Friday to inspect the newly constructed as well as the progress of ongoing playground development works. This initiative is part of a larger government directive under the MGNREGA scheme, aimed at ensuring that every village in the district has access to a well-maintained playground, said SDM Divya. She added that a total of 95 villages are currently part of this project, with work either completed or in progress. She further said that as per the state directive, all designated playgrounds are to be physically inspected by government officers between May 19 and May 23, 2025, with detailed reports to be submitted thereafter. SDM's visit marks a significant step in the monitoring process, reinforcing the administration's commitment to timely execution and quality standards. During the inspection, the SDM emphasised the importance of recreational spaces for children and youth, and assured that any lapses in quality or delays in construction would be addressed promptly. The administration remains dedicated to ensuring that these facilities are completed to standard, enabling access to safe and inclusive spaces for sports and outdoor activities in rural areas, she further added.
