Punjab Forest Dept raises alarm over construction on Chandigarh periphery

The Forest Department has expressed concern over extensive construction activities on the periphery of Chandigarh.

In a communication to the Punjab Housing and Urban Development, the department flagged several sites in Mirzapur, Jyanti Majri, Karoran, Bharonjian, Siswan and Nada villages where construction is taking place on lands recently delisted from forest status. These areas, previously classified as forest land, now fall under the jurisdiction of the local development authority, GMADA.

The department pointed out that developers are illegally building farmhouses and plots in these areas, violating SC guidelines on delisted forest lands. The delisted lands lie adjacent to protected forest areas where construction is prohibited under the Punjab Land Preservation Act. The forest department has identified 116 unauthorised constructions and has requested GMADA to take action.

There are strict Supreme Court guidelines regarding land use in delisted forest areas, which include allowing only eco-tourism on largely privately owned lands. The Chandigarh Administration has also objected to construction activities in Punjab’s eco-sensitive zones near Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, governed by the Periphery Control Act. However, GMADA officials have been ineffective in curbing these violations, many of which involve retired IAS, IPS officers, politicians, and other influential individuals.

The Forest Department has consistently urged the Housing Department to act against violators. Areas regulated under Sections 4 and 5 of the PLPA, 1900, include Tarapur, Siswan, Seonk, Mullanpur, Bhronjian, Thaksa etc.