Central panel member inspects forest areas near Chandigarh for violations

Chandra Parkash Goyal, a member of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) formed by the Supreme Court, on Monday visited Karoran, Masol and Siswan to verify complaints of serious violations in forest areas adjoining Chandigarh. The visit was in connection with the ongoing hearing before the CEC on complaints of alleged encroachments and violations of the forest laws.

Accompanied by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dharminder Sharma, GMADA and revenue officials, Goyal, during a day-long exercise, inspected the sites, including the WWICS-operated Forest Hill Resort and the farm houses being carved in Green Heavens and at other sites in Karoran, Masol and Siswan.

The CEC is assessing the damage caused to forests and commercial activities being carried in areas governed by the forest laws.

A former Director General of Forests and Special Secretary to the Union environment ministry, Goyal refused to comment on his observations during the visit.

The CEC member inspected in detail the constructions in the Forest Hill Resort. As WWICS director Devinder Sandhu claimed before the visiting officials that he had all permissions, Goyal is learnt to have asked the Mohali DC and GMADA to present the relevant revenue records and the permissions, if any, granted to property owners.

Dharminder Sharma said all information sought by the CEC was being submitted.

Forest and GMADA officials complained to the CEC member that they had not given any nod for construction activity in the forest and non-forest areas and they were not allowed entry in the private properties where the alleged violations had been seen.

Sources said the CEC would also scrutinise the time to time action taken by forest officials against the violation and fix accountability in case of lapses. The role of the Drainage Department for not acting against the encroachments on seasonal rivulets had also come under scanner, the sources added.