Green trouble for Sukhbir resort, Centre seeks report

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 19

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change is learnt to have sought a report from the Punjab Government over alleged irregularities in seeking environmental clearances for a luxury resort, owned by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, at Palanpur in New Chandigarh.

In a complaint to the Northern Regional Office of the Forest and Environment Ministry, the Aam Aadmi Party had alleged the Badals got clearances from the Environment and Forest Department to construct Metro Eco Green Resorts on land reserved for forest using illegal means.

Taking note of the complaint, the Northern Regional Office of the ministry has written to the state government seeking a report on alleged environmental violations by the Badal-Oberoi venture, “The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resorts & Spa”, which was inaugurated recently.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and in charge of the ministry’s regional office Dr Harsh Mitar confirmed that a report had been sought from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Punjab. However, Kuldeep Kumar, PCCF, Punjab, said he was yet to receive a communication from the ministry.

In his complaint, AAP’s RTI cell co-convener Dinesh Chadha had termed “Sukhvilas” illegal, alleging multiple violations in the project.

A kinnow orchard was shown in the project submitted to the Environment Ministry as flat agricultural land without the need to axe trees, it was alleged.

Under the eco tourism policy of the Punjab Tourism Department, such projects can’t come up on more than 2.5 acres. But “Sukhvilas” is spread over 20 acres. Besides, buildings need to be eco-friendly without any basements. But the building has a basement, it was alleged.

Also, the Metro Eco Green Resort was being operated by the Oberoi Group in violation of the conditions that specify that any agency seeking diversion of forest land cannot transfer it to any other group, the AAP claimed.