In a significant development, the Punjab government has proposed to maintain the Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary at 100 meters for the Nayagaon municipal committee, as stated in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court on Wednesday. This decision comes as a major relief to approximately 200,000 residents of Kansal, Nada, Nayagaon, and Chhoti Karoran villages who had been facing the threat of extensive ESZ regulations extending from 1 to 3 kilometers.
The ongoing debate and litigation concern the extent of the ESZ, which serves as a buffer zone to protect the sanctuaries from urban encroachment and industrial activities. For villages outside the Nayagaon municipal area, including Perch, Karoran, and Seonk, the proposed ESZ will still range from 1 to 3 kilometers. The Supreme Court’s final ruling on these zones is eagerly anticipated.
The issue escalated when residents and local groups strongly opposed the initial forest department’s proposal to expand the ESZ to 1–3 km, arguing it would result in the demolition of numerous structures, severely affecting their lives and livelihoods. The matter reached the Supreme Court following a plea from Nayagaon and Kansal residents seeking judicial intervention for the approval of building plans, part of a broader case concerning ESZs across India that has been ongoing since 1995.
HS Oberoi, president of the Kansal Projection of Rights and Welfare Association, expressed relief at the decision, noting that it had been a long-drawn battle and praising the Punjab government for taking a step favorable to the residents. According to Oberoi, the Union government’s guidelines for declaring ESZs allow for residential construction within regulated activities.
Vineet Joshi, chairman of the Nayagaon Ghar Bachao Manch, highlighted the community’s efforts in opposing the expanded ESZ. “We have been fighting this battle since November 2024, organized 24 nukkad sabhas and led a protest march to the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, demanding that the government scrap its orders. In the end, the Punjab government had to bow to public pressure and restrict the ESZ to just 100 meters,” said Joshi.
In response to the public outcry, a high-level committee including cabinet ministers Lal Chand Kataruchak, Ravjot Singh, and Hardeep Singh Mundian held a public hearing in December 2024, where they received over 100 objections from residents, councillors, and organizations. Subsequent discussions and meetings led to the decision to roll back the ESZ proposal to 100 meters, a move finalized in early March after consultations with Chief Minister Mann.
