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Mohali's Green Lung Plan Stalled Amidst Development Rush
2 Aug
Summary
- An 118-acre urban forest plan in Mohali remains stalled.
- GMADA prioritizes land acquisition for commercial projects.
- Environmentalists warn of severe repercussions from neglected green spaces.
The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has been acquiring land for commercial and industrial ventures, but its long-pending plan to develop an 118-acre urban forest in Sector 97 remains stalled. This comes as GMADA recently declared acquisition of 196.44 acres for a commercial hub in Sector 87, with land parcels in villages that are also earmarked for the proposed urban forest. The Sector 97 project, conceptualized in the 2009 Master Plan, was intended to be a vital green lung, but progress has halted since 2015-2017.
In contrast, revenue-generating projects, like industrial development in Sector 103 and the Aerotropolis township, are moving forward swiftly, with compensation awards announced for several villages. Environmentalists highlight the critical role of urban forests for air quality and biodiversity, especially as Punjab faces environmental challenges. They assert that such projects should be prioritized, warning of significant public health repercussions from unbalanced development.
Urban planning experts note Mohali's lower forest coverage compared to Chandigarh and Panchkula, urging aggressive greening initiatives. GMADA has assured that the Sector 97 green belt is still part of the Master Plan, with land acquisition and development proceeding in phases as land becomes available.
