Punjab maintains 100m ESZ around Sukhna sanctuary

In a significant decision for local residents, the Punjab government has confirmed that the Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary will remain at 100 meters for the Nayagaon municipal committee. This comes after many inhabitants in neighboring Kansal, Nada, Nayagaon, and Chhoti Karoran strongly opposed a previous plan to extend the zone to 1-3 kilometers. They feared that such an extension would result in the demolition of their homes and disrupt their livelihoods. The announcement was made in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court. The court's ruling on this matter is still pending. For villages outside the Nayagaon area, including Perch, Karoran, and Seonk, the ESZ will extend between 1 and 3 kilometers. Residents from these areas are also awaiting the court's decision. Community members expressed relief at the development. HS Oberoi, president of a local rights group, mentioned that the government’s decision reflected positive progress for the residents’ concerns. He emphasized that residential construction should be regulated based on guidelines from the Union government regarding wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Vineet Joshi, who leads the Nayagaon Ghar Bachao Manch, highlighted the long battle they have fought since November 2024. They held numerous public meetings and protests, including one at the residence of Punjab's chief minister, demanding changes to the government’s original plans. Last November, the Supreme Court had instructed the Punjab government to address complaints from Nayagaon residents. A committee of cabinet ministers held a public hearing, where over 100 objections were raised. Following this, and a directive from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to revisit public input, the committee ultimately decided to limit the ESZ to 100 meters.