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17-Year Wait for Mohali Forest: Green Promises Unfulfilled
24 Apr
Summary
- Urban forest plan in Sector 97 stalled for 17 years.
- GMADA acquired only 28 of 120 acres for the project.
- Court scrutiny highlights Mohali's environmental concerns.
A 17-year-old plan to establish a significant urban forest in Sector 97, Mohali, has yet to materialize, with the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) struggling with land acquisition. The master plan from 2009 designated 120 acres for this green space, but GMADA currently possesses only 28 acres. Residents express concern over the incomplete acquisition, which delays the planned dense plantations, biodiversity zones, and recreational facilities intended as an ecological buffer.
The stalled Sector 97 project unfolds as Mohali faces judicial attention regarding its environmental record. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has requested responses from GMADA concerning allegations of tree felling for residential projects and proposals to cut trees for road widening. These legal challenges underscore a broader contradiction in the city's development trajectory, especially given Punjab's low forest cover.
While a public hearing for commercial land acquisition in Sector 87 proceeded, officials noted the need for complementary green belts, citing the successful urban design model of Chandigarh. However, this balance remains elusive in Mohali's current planning. With ongoing urbanisation and declining green cover, the necessity for urban forests to combat climate change and improve air quality is paramount, making the Sector 97 delay a critical issue.
