HSVP to auction Panchkula orchard for apartments, residents object

Ravneet Singh

Panchkula, July 27

While the state and Central governments have been pressing upon afforestation through various schemes, the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) will auction its 14.55 acre land falling in densely populated Sector 20 of Panchkula for construction of multi-storey apartments (group housing) on Sunday. Residents fear, despite their long-standing objections, nearly 400 trees from the site which features a green mango orchard and serves as a home for peacocks and other birds, will be chopped-off to make-way for residential quarters. The matter was discussed in the meeting of Panchkula district advisory committee on Saturday as well.

The green mango orchard is spread in over 20 acres of land. Of this, the HSVP has decided to auction 14.55 acres of land for apartments. While the construction is expected to fill the coffers of HSVP, area residents contend it will lead to deterioration of the area’s ecosystem and traffic movement.

Akhil Goel, a resident of Sector 20 said, “Already Sector 20 area has been converted into a concrete jungle with high-rise buildings across its length and breath. Now, the HSVP wants to convert most part of its mango orchard, which remains as the only green cover in the area and has over 400 trees, into residential quarters. While the governments have been spending huge funds on afforestation, this concretisation will act in opposition to green initiatives.”

According to the Indian State of Forest report 2021, Haryana has 1,603 square km of forest cover and stands a dismal 31st in forest cover across India. The Central Government allocated Rs 176.38 crore for the state’s afforestation activities under different schemes in 2019-20 and Rs 257.19 crore in 2020-21. The amount only increased to Rs 385.85 crore in 2021-22, to Rs 495.72 crore in 2022-23 and a to whopping Rs 411.81 crore in 2023-24.

The Sector 20 area is densely populated, which is one of the reasons for an increase in crime-ratio. The area is already struggling due to severe traffic issues.

Vivek gupta of the Parikrama Resident Welfare Association said, “The officials of forest department recorded presence of numerous peacocks and other wildlife at the orchard. It is important to preserve the orchard as a wild-life sanctuary. The HSVP is merely looking for profit as the land will be auctioned with a reserve price of Rs 576.53 crore.”

Yogendra Kwatra, vice president of the resident welfare association, Sector 20 said the departments should collectively come forward to preserve green-cover.

When pointed-out during the meeting, Gian Chand Gupta said the residents should submit a representation to be discussed and decided. HSVP officials said the land was put on auction twice, but did not attract bidders.

HSVP Executive Officer Manav Malik the office will send the matter to the head-quarters if a representation is submitted.