Follow court orders, but take care of displaced

Open house: What should be done to save sukhna lake?

Demolish illegal construction

It is true that the pride of the City Beautiful, Sukhna Lake is losing its value. The lake is dirty. The authorities concerned should launch drive by giving incentives to people for cleaning the lake. All illegal buildings around lake should be demolished immediately. Entry charges should levied on visitors for the lake’s upkeep. These steps would help regain the beauty of Sukhna Lake.

Saikrit Gulati, Chandigarh

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Protect ecology of Sukhna lake

Sukhna Lake is surrounded by rich flora and fauna. It needs care and protection. The need of the hour is to implement Periphery Control Act to maintain a clear rural-urban dichotomy and prevent unregulated urban development. Green cover and its diversity around lake has to be increased. Noise and air pollution around lake has to minimised. There has to be check on the number of vehicles in and around lake to protect it from pollution. Only authorised vendors should be allowed to operate around the lake. There should be no more construction in or around lake to maintain its beauty.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

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Take guidance from experts

Sukhna Lake is the jewel of the City Beautiful. It is a major tourist attraction. Shivalik hills (hilly catchment area of Sukhna Lake) are ecologically sensitive and geological unstable and thus highly prone to soil erosion. Deforestation, faulty-agricultural practices and over grazing have lead to soil erosion. Poor vegetation and excessive biotic interference in the catchment area has further accelerated soil erosion. To tackle this problem, soil conservation along with tree plantations has to be taken up in the catchment area. Check and silt retention dams should be constructed. Sukhna Lake is in danger because of reduction in its depth and purity day by day. Guidance from experienced and qualified experts may be taken in this regard.

Dr Shruti K Chawla, Chandigarh

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Maintain Sukhna’s beauty at all cost

Why is the Administration allowing construction around Sukhna Lake. All such illegal activities must be stopped by the authorities concerned. Flowers and ornamental plants should be planted to beautify surroundings of the lake. The lake should be promoted as a major tourist destination especially among visitors from abroad.

Tarlok Singh, Mani Majra

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Don’t let greed spoil lake’s beauty

Sukhna Lake is pride of Chandigarh. It is a picturesque place where residents and tourists go and enjoy. It is a place for family outings, picnics, morning exercise and walk the talk. So, it has to be managed and maintained well. The authorities must own and look after it. There is no question of its neglect, be it unauthorised constructions in the catchment area, allowing sewage flow into it or migratory birds dying because of flu. The authorities must enhance facilities for tourists at the lake. The UT Administration must provide better toilets, drinking water and set-up controlled rate shops at the lake. Sukhna Lake is an attractive tourist spot. So, let’s not mar its happy spirit with greed.

Colonel R D Singh (retd), Ambala Cantt

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Implement High Court orders

Sukhna Lake is pride not only of Chandigarh, but for the whole north. The construction in the Sukhna catchment area will pollute lake. We can see the case of Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana, which is polluted to such an extent, that many efforts to clean it have proved futile. All knew about the catchment area and rules governing it, but the authorities and violators continued massive construction. Such construction should stopped and razed immediately even if compensation has to be paid to owners of illegal structures. Prosecute persons involved in illegal construction in the catchment area. Even after court orders, construction goes unabated in the catchment area. The Administration can give aggrieved persons alternative sites or built up accommodations.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

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Heads must roll

Sukhna Lake being a man-made lake, to preserve, maintain and upkeep its catchment area assumes importance. Through delineated Act of 2004, all type of construction activity in the catchment area was banned. But, over the years hundreds of residential, commercial and even religious institutions have sprung up in the catchment area. Taking note of the violation, the High Court issued instructions for removing encroachments. As major stakes are involved, people are already up in arms with politicians backing their cause. A question does arise as to how such large scale violation in the protected area was allowed and why heads of perpetrators and officials concerned should not roll for causing ecological damage to lake.

SS Arora, Mohali

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Lake has fallen prey to realtors

It is true that Sukhna Lake’s beauty has fallen prey to the greed of realtors and others. There is massive construction activity going on in its catchment area. The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a slew of directions for saving the lake, which includes ban on any construction in the Sukhna catchment area. The rule of 2017 curbs any kind of new construction within fifty metres of the lake. Residents of the village, which existed in the catchment area, said the UT Administration should think of their plight, as they would end up on road due to this decision. More than 6,000 houses, temples, gurdwara and dharmshala my face demolition. Villagers say the construction should be stopped in the beginning. The Administration must solve the issue amicably.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

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Give compensation to those affected

The High Court order to demolish unauthorised structures in Sukhna Lake’s catchment area is a welcome step. But the people, who have constructed houses after paying revenue to the government should either be given compensation or one time relaxation. Such people have invested their life-time savings in construction of their houses. The UT Administration’s decision of not to help and protect its residents interest by not appealing to the states of Punjab and Haryana is not praiseworthy. Villagers have given their own land for choe and Sukhna Lake. The UT Administration should plan to rehabilitate villagers especially poor like slum dwellers, rehabilitated by allotting houses in Chandigarh after demolition of slum colonies. The tricity MCs should ensure that sewage is not discharged and no more construction activity is allowed in the catchment area of lake.

Col Balbir Singh Mathauda (Retd)

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Construction under political patronage

Everyone knows that Chandigarh is a modern and beautiful city. Sukhana Lake is also famous and important part of the city. Not only people, but birds and animals too visit lake at particular intervals. So many people have been constructing unauthorised buildings near the lake under the patronage of bureaucrats and politicians. They are destroying lake. Permanent structures in the catchment area impede/ delay the flow of water into lake. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken genuine step to save the lake. The authorities of Punjab, Haryana and the UT should obey court orders and demolish all illegal structures immediately. Strict action must be taken against officials concerned, who did not take note of illegal construction in the catchment area of the lake. All politicians should avoid dirty politics for vote bank.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

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Allot catchment area to Chandigarh

The judiciary has delivered a landmark verdict. All illegal constructions in the catchment area should be razed. Primarily the fault rested with the then Government of India whose functionaries in utter ignorance and blinded by heedless arrogance trifurcated the erstwhile Punjab state without regard to the geographical imperatives of the locale of Sukhna Lake. However, the catchment area should be allotted to the UT and its management and maintenance handed over to the Chandigarh Administration. Time is ripe and opportune because all areas affecting the survival of the artificial lake fall in the states governed by the same political party that holds the reins of governance at the Centre. Such an action on the part of the Government of India would be in consonance with its policies and programmes aimed at carrying the country forward and would be a gesture of generous intelligence.

Dr SS Bhatti, Chandigarh

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Clear encroachments around lake

Whatever illegal constructions done in the catchment area of Sukhna Lake in the past should be demolished immediately. Contractors and builders along with officials concerned should be identified and arrested. They must be asked to pay money to owners of illegal houses so that they can shift to safe dwellings. The catchment area of Sukhna Lake must be cleared of all encroachments at any cost.

RK Kapoor, Chandigarh

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Save Sukhna lake at any cost

Illegal colonies have been coming up in all cities of Punjab. Promoters of these colonies are either influential or highly placed individuals. The construction in the Sukhna Lake catchment area is a glaring example of this violation. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered demolition of illegal structures around lake. Sukhna Lake is a beauty spot for tourists. The Administration must look into reasons, which have put lake’s existence into danger. To save the iconic spot of Chandigarh, the court’s judgment must be implemented in a true spirit. It cannot happen without the willingness of the department concerned.

Wg Cdr Jasbir Singh Minhas (retd), Mohali

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Admn yet to wake up to responsibilities

Putting onus solely on realtors’ greed, for spoiling the beauty and existence of Sukhna Lake, may not be justified. How could they have exploited scenario if the Administration and residents had been awake to their responsibilities? Everything is connived. Citizens need to pull strings of their elected representatives to maintain humanitarian and geographical environmental dignity. We are, unfortunately, not inclined. We need be inclined to protect environment.

MPS Chadha, Mohali

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Admn to blame for the botch-up

There is no denying the fact that the deaf dispensation woke up from its deep slumber when the court directed it to demolish all structures as these were posing a potential threat to the iconic Sukhna Lake. Even those structures, which were raised over legally allotted plots, will face demolition if court orders are implemented. The million-dollar question here is “Why should the affected people, who somehow pooled wherewithal to construct a house of their should pay for the follies of those at the helm of affairs?” The court ordered demolition of structures caring two hoots for more than 600 structures raised through a humble pie. The court should bring thick-skinned realtors and minds behind the violation on board and direct them to pay the price for their role in the botch-up. The court, as also the Administration, need to review the decision and mull a middle passage to save the lake and also houses constructed around the catchment area.

Ramesh K Dhiman, Chandigarh

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Greedy realtors have not spared iconic spot

Sukhna Lake is the pride and honour of the City Beautiful. Chandigarh and Sukhna are synonymous. But, it is really disgusting that greedy realtors have not even spared this iconic piece of beauty, which has led to massive construction activity in the lake’s catchment area. The judiciary has done its job by passing the orders against it. But the execution of these orders is a big challenge. The executing bodies be it the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation or the UT Police should do their duty honestly to save Sukhna, otherwise the day is not far when instead of clear waters of the lake we will see a whole concrete jungle. Realtors should listen to their conscience. Instead of thinking about their selfish profits, they should try to save the legacy of Chandigarh.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

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Transfer whole catchment area to UT

The recent fine and castigation by the High Court is ample proof that Punjab, Haryana and the UT have failed to save Sukhna Lake. Unlike the UT, Haryana and Punjab are reportedly contemplating to contest the HC diktat obviously due to vote-bank and mafia pressure. Surely, appeals will cut no ice at the apex court, which is justly hell-bent against any environment degradation. Cutting across party lines leaders of political parties are up in arms to thwart/circumvent the court order on demolition. It’s moot whether the judiciary and the executive reporting to political masters will succumb to their tactics. The HC judgment is fair and square while ordering demolition of all structures in the catchment area. It has directed relocation and compensation to owners of structures, who had got prior approval of building plans. It shall be prudent for the National Green Tribunal to order transfer of whole catchment area to the UT for effective control.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

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Follow-up by HC will go a long way

The endless greed and vote bank politics of politicians and other members of the government machinery in the tricity is the reason behind the slow death of Sukhna Lake. The High Court has taken a right decision. It must be ensured that the court order is implemented in letter and spirit in a time-bound manner.A strict follow-up action by the HC will go a long way in saving the lake. The UT Administration should invest in rainwater harvesting. It will help in supplying water to the lake and maintain its minimum level throughout the year.

KC Rana, Chandigarh

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Only court can save Sukhna Lake

The decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to declare Sukhna Lake a ‘living entity’, a loving and ailing child is historic. It is also made residents of Chandigarh loco-parents of Sukhna to save it from extinction. Although Punjab, Haryana and the UT kept assuring the court that no unauthorised construction would be undertaken in the catchment area, yet it went on at an alarming pace. This shows that human greed has no limits and no respect for the environment or nature. Punjab MLAs made a cooperative housing society in this area to make millions. Now, only court can save Sukhna Lake.

Capt Amar Jeet Kumar (retd), Mohali

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Sukhna is living entity with dead soul

The Chandigarh Wetlands Authority can never ensure that encroachments like the Tata Camelot Rs 1,800 crore housing project, setting up industry, dumping garbage, discharge of waste and effluents, and construction of any nature around the periphery of Sukhna Lake is controlled. This is despite the fact that Sukhna Lake has been declared a wetland. The primary reason is that the catchment area of Sukhna Lake falls within the administrative boundaries of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Residents in the catchment area are in a catch-22 situation. Houses registered by tehsildar have now been declared illegal by the High Court. Where will residents go? Moreover, the Administration has no count of illegal structures in the area.

Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur

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Clean lake water at regular intervals

Sukhna Lake should be made more attractive for migratory birds by growing more trees, shrubs and herbs with flowers. Landscaping can be done and artificial fountains can be constructed at lake. Some area around lake should be kept free from high-rise buildings. Lake water should be cleaned from time to time. Cleanliness should be maintained at lake. Swings for amusement should be banned. Lake should be declared silence zone. Entry of vehicles should be prohibited at approximately 500 metres from lake. Mini zoo can be constructed at lake. The forest area attached with lake should be maintained. Shops at lake should be moved to a nearby place. The lake should be looked upon as nature’s entity and not just tourist place.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

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Punjab, Haryana must help UT Admn

The step taken by the HC while asking the Union Government to sanction financial assistance to UT for cleaning and maintaining Sukhna Lake, already declared a wetland, is welcome. Sukhna Lake was declared a wetland more than three decades ago. The Governments of Punjab and Haryana must join hands with the UT Administration in its efforts to conserve Sukhna as the two states are also beneficiaries. It's in the interest of all stake holders whether public or governments of the two states and the UT Administration to maintain ecological values of Sukhna and help in maintaining its natural beauty by avoiding discharge of effluents into it, stop construction activities around it and also hold annual activity of cleaning the lake jointly.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

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QUESTION

As the tricity shuts down its major institutions and with various precautions and advisories in place by the authorities concerned, do you think we are doing enough to prevent the spread of coronavirus? If not, what more can be done at the government as well as at the individual level to keep Covid-19 at bay?

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