Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh: Environmentalists raise alarm over illegal tree felling, forest land misuse in Rock Garden area
Call for Transparency and Strict Action by Chandigarh Administration
Ramesh Goyat
Chandigarh, April 19, 2025 – Environmental activists from the Tricity have raised serious concerns over the felling of trees and the unauthorized use of forest land in the Rock Garden area.
A delegation recently met with Chandigarh Advisor and Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma, urging the administration to take immediate corrective action and uphold environmental norms.
The activists highlighted the conversion of designated forest land into non-forest use, calling it a violation of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) guidelines and a threat to local biodiversity, especially amidst a worsening climate crisis marked by rising heatwaves.
Forest Land Misused for Non-Permitted Activities
According to official records, a total of 0.2467 hectares of land — 0.0272 and 0.2195 hectares — near the Rock Garden, opposite the Punjab and Haryana High Court, was diverted for road widening and straightening, aimed at improving vehicular flow.
However, environmentalists allege that the land is now being used for unauthorized kutcha parking, in direct violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the conditional approvals granted by the MoEF&CC and the High Court. Notably, the original clearance clearly prohibited any permanent construction or non-forest activity on the site.
Tree Felling Amidst Climate Emergency
Activists criticized the administration for felling trees without disclosing the tree census or environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports to the public.
They emphasized that during a time when IMD has issued heatwave warnings, every tree acts as a natural safeguard against soaring urban temperatures and air pollution.
As per environmental norms, at least 272 trees should be planted over the 0.2467-hectare area to compensate for the loss. However, no afforestation plan has been made public so far, nor has any replantation activity been undertaken in line with the ecological needs of the region.
Demand for Transparency and Accountability
The delegation has demanded:
- Immediate halt of unauthorized use of forest land.
- Public release of the tree census, EIA report, and afforestation plans.
- Restoration of green cover with suitable native tree species.
The activists also highlighted the broader implications of such violations, stressing that environmental safeguards must not be compromised in the name of development.
Support from Political and Civil Society Circles
Previously, the group met MP Manish Tewari, who assured them that he would raise the matter in Parliament. Now, the issue has been formally placed before the Chandigarh administration once again in hopes of timely intervention.
The delegation included prominent environmental advocates such as Samita Kaur Mangat, Pavila Bali, Pooja Sharma, and Amandeep Singh, all of whom emphasized that environmental compliance must be a non-negotiable pillar of urban planning.
A Wake-Up Call for the Administration
This is not just a matter of constructing a road or managing traffic — it’s a test case for environmental governance. As heatwaves intensify and ecological systems face increasing stress, environmentalists urge the administration to lead by example and uphold sustainable development practices.