Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding plan to develop an industrial park in the forest area and on the flood plains of Sutlej, Punjab, 25/05/2021
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Kapil Dev Vs Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change dated 25/05/2021.
Grievance in the application was against proposed amendment to the Master Plan of Ludhiana for developing a Modern Industrial Park in the forest area and on the flood plains of river Sutlej, in violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The NGT directed the Chief Secretary, Punjab in coordination with the River Rejuvenation Committee to take remedial action as may be necessary for protection of the flood plains. The Tribunal made it clear that the protection of forests is covered by the "statutory mandate of the FC Act and no non forest activity is allowed in forest area without statutory clearances, there is no reason to presume that the said mandate will be ignored."