Proposed Kandi farmhouse policy hits forest cover hurdle

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 24

The Punjab Forest Department has raised objections to the state government’s proposal of regularising farmhouses in the Kandi area, citing forest cover and wildlife in the ecologically fragile Shivalik foothills. In its response to the Housing Department, the Forest Department highlighted environmental concerns and referred to the Supreme Court guidelines on land use in the region.

The policy under consideration would apply to areas taken out of the purview of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, particularly within GMADA’s local planning area around Chandigarh. The state had formed a committee under the Housing and Urban Development Secretary to draft norms, given that several influential persons, including politicians and bureaucrats, own land there.

Officials admitted that land prices had surged after recommendations of a sub-committee under the Additional Chief Administrator (Policy) were “purposely” leaked. The panel had suggested allowing farmhouses up to one acre. At present, nearly 100 farmhouses have already been built without formal approval.

GMADA has been sealing and demolishing such structures in Karoran, Parch, Seonk, Mullanour Garibdass, Padol and Nada villages. Since 2023, GMADA has issued at least 62 show-cause notices in such cases, as stated before the National Green Tribunal.

The contested area also falls within a proposed eco-sensitive zone, awaiting notification from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

“The farmhouses are in violation of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act, 1995; Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995; and Punjab New Capital Periphery Act, 1952. Anyone raising farmhouses will face action,” a senior Housing Department official warned.

The Forest Department suggested that the Housing Department should adopt low-density development models. Existing rules already permit farmhouses on 2.5 acres of agricultural land under the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Building Rules, 2021. Officials further noted that policies framed after 2010 allowed land use for agricultural and livelihood purposes in the areas exempted under the PLPA, but prohibited commercial activity.