Builder to face action for housing project in eco-sensitive zone

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 2

The Central Government has directed the Haryana Government to take action against a private company for commencing the construction of a housing project in the eco-senstive zone of the Sultanpur National Park in Gurugram without seeking clearance from the Union Environment Ministry.

In March 2024, the Union Environment Ministry had formed a committee under the chairmanship of the Inspector General of Forests to study the impact of the housing and other infrastructure projects on the national park. Ministry officials confirmed to The Tribune that the committee had submitted its report mentioning glaring violations in the eco-sensitve zone.

According to the minutes of the meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), “The committee conducted a detailed field inspection and concluded that the Sultanpur National Park is one of the most significant biodiversity areas adjoining the Gurugram Metropolitan Area. The available evidence indicates stress on the national park as evident from the shrinking of the Sultanpur Jheel and dependence on the Gurgaon canal for the maintenance of water regimes. There has been a considerable loss in the wetland regime around the Sultanpur National Park.”

The Standing Committee directed the state government to take action against the violators and submit a monthly status report to the Union Environment Ministry.