Mohali
The area comprises around 15 acres of privately owned land, while approximately eight acres are with Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). The parties were subsequently asked to place their concerns and suggestions on record through written pleadings so that the forest department could issue its order after considering what measures would be in the larger interest of environmental conservation. It has also been advised to seek the assistance of the department so that any permissible activity does not damage trees or the habitat of birds and animals.
The distinction became significant during discussions between the environment protection society, GMADA and other stakeholders, as the parties differed over how the land should be planned and developed. During deliberations, the environment protection society indicated that it would be satisfied if the eight-acre area could be retained under green cover. GMADA, however, argued that it was not certain how this portion could be zoned for different land uses in coordination with the society or whether the society would agree to the zoning proposed by GMADA. The forest department has noted the site’s unique biodiversity value, with protected bird and animal species recorded during the assessment. The wildlife assessment included Indian peafowl, common barn owl, black kite, knob-billed duck, lesser whistling duck and Indian rat snake. The forest department has directed GMADA to formulate zoning in a manner that results in the least possibility of tree cutting.
Thus, while the 15-acre private component and roughly eight-acre GMADA portion have different ownership, the environmental restrictions apply to the site’s development as a whole, leaving the future of the proposed project dependent on how zoning, conservation and statutory permissions are ultimately reconciled.
