The notification process for declaring an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary on the Punjab side faces another setback. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has asked the Punjab government to provide pending information and clarifications, further delaying the long-pending decision.
Ministry's Letter Seeks Action on Pending Issues
In a communication dated December 3, the ministry's ESZ division, led by Additional Director and Scientist-E Veenu Joon, wrote to Punjab's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden. The letter referenced discussions from the 58th meeting of the Expert Committee on ESZs held on July 18, as well as prior correspondence from June.
The ministry highlighted two major pending actions from the state. First, Punjab was instructed to conduct interstate consultations with Haryana and Chandigarh and submit a detailed report, which remains awaited. Second, the state was reminded to revise the proposed ESZ extent to a minimum of 1 kilometre, in line with a Punjab and Haryana High Court order dated March 2, 2020. The Punjab government has not yet responded on this compliance issue either.
The Centre has urged the state to furnish the clarifications at the earliest so that further steps towards the ESZ notification can be taken.
Residents' Outcry Over Delays and Land Impact
This development has sparked strong reactions from residents of Kansal and Naya Gaon, who accuse both the central and state governments of employing delay tactics. They have made repeated representations, demanding that the ESZ limit be restricted to 100 metres instead of 1 km, especially up to the municipal limits.
Harjot Oberoi, a concerned resident, called the latest ministry letter deeply concerning. He cited a Supreme Court order dated April 16, 2025, which directed the ministry to finalise Punjab's ESZ within three months. "This binding direction cannot be diluted by administrative correspondence or by insisting on interstate consultations," Oberoi stated. He further argued that the ESZ Guidelines of 2011 do not grant Chandigarh or any neighbouring authority a veto over Punjab's ESZ decision.
Potential Consequences for Locals
The residents have outlined severe impacts if the 1km ESZ is implemented:
- Private land owned by residents will fall within the restricted zone.
- The market value of this land is expected to reduce drastically.
- All construction, sale, and development activities on these lands will be prohibited.
- There is a significant risk of loss of livelihood for poor and marginal families dependent on these lands.
Clear Demands from the Affected Villages
The residents of Naya Gaon and Kansal have put forth clear demands to the authorities. They urge the implementation of the Punjab government's reported decision for a 100-metre ESZ limit. Their primary goal is to protect private land from being adversely affected by the ESZ declaration and to prevent the jeopardising of lives and livelihoods of poor and middle-class families in the area.
The ball is now in the Punjab government's court to respond to the Centre's queries and take a definitive stand, balancing environmental conservation with the welfare of local communities.
