Punjab Governor letter to CM Mann, expresses concerns over JLPL(Janta Land Promoters Limited)
Project “Super Mega Mixed use integrated Industrial Park” Sector 82-83 and 66-A SAS Nagar, Mohali and Galaxy Heights by M/s Janta Land Promoters Limited, violated Environmental Regulations- MoEFCC, Government of India
Proposes cognizance of the offence under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The Voice of Chandigarh : Punjab Governor and Administrator UT Chandigarh, Banwari Lal Purohit in a letter to Chief Minister Punjab has communicated that Project “Super Mega Mixed use integrated Industrial Park” Sector 82-83 and 66-A SAS Nagar, Mohali and Galaxy Heights by M/s Janta Land Promoters Limited are in violation of Environmental Regulations, as observed by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change (MoEFCC) , Government of India.
Sharing the clarification received from MoEFCC ( Vide letter No. WL-6/134/2023-WL dated 23rd October, 2023) which states “The project was under violation from 16-12-2015 (Date of grant of EC) to 10-01-2017 (ESZ boundary notification) .Accordingly, cognizance of the offence is required to be taken under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986”, the Punjab Governor and Administrator UT Chandigarh has advised that Civic Authorities, Punjab Pollution Control Board and SEIAA of Punjab may be asked to take strict action, against the defaulting violators of Wildlife norms who are involved in illegal construction. Accordingly, a report on the issue has also been sought.
Pertinently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in response to clarification sought by State Government regarding the construction of the “Super Mega Mixed use integrated Industrial Park” by M/s Janta Land Promoters Limited in Sector 82-83 and 66A, SAS Nagar, Mohali, and the Galaxy Heights,” the proposed project site is located at a distance of 13.06 kilometers from the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary (SWLS) and 8.40 kilometers from the boundary of the City Bird Sanctuary, has observed that “As per the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, dated 4th December 2006, in the matter of W.P. (C) 460 of 2004, Goa Foundation vs. Union of India and others, and the guidelines issued by the MoEFCC, any activities or projects requiring Environmental Clearance (EC) and falling within the finally notified Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) or within 10 kilometers of the default ESZ (where the ESZ has not been finally notified) shall necessitate recommendations from the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life (SCNBWL).
The User Agency, in this case, M/s Janta Land Promoters Limited, has initiated the construction of the “Super Mega Mixed use integrated Industrial Park” without obtaining the necessary approval from the SCNBWL, as mandated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s orders and MoEFCC guidelines.
Further, the project is in violation of these regulations from 16th December 2015 (the date of the grant of Environmental Clearance) until 10th January 2017, when the boundary of the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) was officially notified. As a result, cognizance of the offence is required to be taken under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986”.
