Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Banwari Lal Purohit have identified two projects led by Mohali AAP MLA Kulwant Singh that are breaching environmental laws. Governor Purohit has urged the government to act against the MLA for violating wildlife regulations and has requested an action report from the state government.
In a letter addressed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Governor Purohit asserted, “Super Mega Mixed Use Integrated Industrial Park’ in Sectors 82-83 and 66-A, SAS Nagar, and the ‘Galaxy Heights’ project by M/s Janta Land Promoters Limited, both promoted by AAP Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh, are in violation of environmental regulations. This observation was made by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.”
He provided clarification from the ministry, stating, “The project was in violation from December 16, 2015 (the date of the grant of Environmental Clearance) to January 10, 2017 (Eco-Sensitive Zone boundary notification). Accordingly, action should be taken under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, for this offence.”
Based on this information, the Governor recommended that civic authorities, the Punjab Pollution Control Board, and SEIAA of Punjab take strict actions against those responsible for violating wildlife norms through illegal construction. A report on the matter has also been requested.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, in response to a query from the state government regarding the construction of the ‘Super Mega Mixed Use Integrated Industrial Park’ by M/s Janta Land Promoters Limited in Sectors 82-83 and 66-A, SAS Nagar, and the ‘Galaxy Heights’ project, noted that the proposed project site is located 13.06 km from the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary (SWLS) and 8.4 km from the boundary of the City Bird Sanctuary.
They further pointed out that “as per the Supreme Court’s orders dated December 4, 2006, in the matter of Goa Foundation vs. Union of India and others, and the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment, any activities or projects requiring environmental clearance (EC) and falling within the finally notified ESZ or within 10 km of the default ESZ (where the ESZ has not been finally notified) shall necessitate recommendations from the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SCNBWL).”
“The user agency, in this case, M/s Janta Land Promoters Limited, initiated the construction of the ‘Super Mega Mixed Use Integrated Industrial Park’ without obtaining the necessary approval from the SCNBWL, as mandated by the Supreme Court’s orders and the ministry guidelines.”
