Next hearing on February 4
The petitioner, Kapil Dev, challenged the policy, alleging that it violated the Supreme Court’s directions regarding land taken out of the purview of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900
18 December, 2025 – Chandigarh : National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday granted an interim stay on the implementation of the Punjab government’s policy to allow approval and regularisation of low-impact green habitats in the lower Shivalik hills, abutting forest areas.
The policy has been stayed until the next date of hearing, February 4.
The state government alleged that the policy, which affects nearly 55,000 hectares taken out of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, would benefit VIPs, including politicians and serving and retired bureaucrats. This land had recently been notified under the policy for farmhouses.
The petitioner, Kapil Dev, challenged the policy, alleging that it violated the Supreme Court’s directions regarding land taken out of the purview of the PLPA.
He said the policy contradicted guidelines set by the Supreme Court while delisting around 55,000 hectares of land from the PLPA. According to him, the court had allowed delisting only for bonafide agricultural use and sustainable livelihood, while barring commercial activity. Despite this, he argued, the new notification would be used to seek commercial permissions.
It may be mentioned that the Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has also sought details of the policy and the specific portions of delisted land. Committee Chairman Siddhanta Das has written to Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha seeking information on the areas delisted and related court orders.
A senior government functionary said the CEC’s intervention came amid criticism from foresters and environmentalists. They alleged the policy would benefit influential persons, including politicians and serving and retired bureaucrats, by opening the door for regularising hundreds of illegal farmhouses that would otherwise face demolition.
About 55,000 hectares abutting forests with rich flora and fauna have been excluded from the PLPA. Experts warn this may have severe ecological consequences for the fragile kandi belt in the Shivalik Hills from Mohali to Pathankot.
The Public Action Committee (PAC)-Mattewara and several environmentalists called the move “legally untenable, scientifically indefensible and potentially in contempt of the Supreme Court’s directions.”
In a recent representation to the Chief Minister, they argued that the Shivalik Hills’ unstable geology and steep slopes make even limited construction risky. They criticised the state for not awaiting the Centre’s decision on declaring an eco-sensitive zone around Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary and for ignoring provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
The Tribune