Draft notification on ESZ opposed

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 12

The Chandigarh Administration has filed its objection to the draft notification issued by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on declaration of eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary.

On September 17, the ministry had issued the draft notification only for the area of Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary that falls under the UT Administration and not for the areas under Punjab and Haryana.

The UT, in its objection letter submitted to the MoEF, has said instead of declaring the ESZ only for the area of Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary that falls under the UT Administration, the ministry should issue a notification for the entire sanctuary the areas of which fall under the jurisdiction of Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana.

The UT submitted that to protect the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, it is mandatory to declare an ESZ around the entire sanctuary. Moreover, 90 per cent area of the sanctuary falls under the jurisdiction of Punjab and Haryana.

The UT has also opposed the draft notification’s point which reads, “No new construction of any kind shall be permitted within the ESZ, except for the domestic needs of the local residents”. The UT submitted that the Chandigarh in its proposal had only wanted a complete ban on construction activity in 500 metres alongside the sanctuary and not in the entire ESZ. The Punjab and Haryana High Court also falls in the ESZ. Therefore, the UT’s proposal of banning construction activity in 500 metres alongside the sanctuary should be considered, the UT submitted.

The UT’s Chief Conservator of Forests, Santosh Kumar, said they had submitted their objection to the ministry and soon, it will hold a meeting with UT officials before issuing the final notification.