PIL calls for sealing Siswan restaurant; HC seeks reply from Punjab Chief Secy
Petitioner alleges the restaurant is causing ecological damage in the forest area
3 min read
The PIL seeks immediate intervention from the high court, requesting that operations at ‘The Prey’ be halted until a thorough inquiry is conducted. The court has adjourned the case to March 26.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government, through the chief secretary, to file a reply on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to halt the operations of ‘The Prey,’ a restaurant near Siswan Dam in Mohali district. The petition, filed by Sukhtej Singh, alleges that the restaurant has been constructed in violation of environmental and land use regulations and is causing ecological damage in the sensitive Siswan forest area.
The PIL contends that ‘The Prey’ is located close to the Siswan forest, an ecologically significant region that serves as a wildlife corridor between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The petitioner argues that the restaurant’s operations, including loud music, artificial lighting, and vehicular movement, are disturbing the natural habitat of wild animals, particularly leopards, which have been frequently sighted in the area. Singh has urged the court to take urgent measures to protect the fragile ecosystem from further harm.
The petition raises concerns about the legality of the restaurant’s construction and operation, alleging that it has been built within the regulated forest area or its eco-sensitive buffer zone. Singh claims that necessary environmental clearances were either not obtained or were granted in violation of statutory provisions. The PIL questions whether the Punjab government and local authorities followed due process while permitting commercial activities in the Siswan region.
Singh has also pointed out the impact of increased human activity on local wildlife, particularly nocturnal species. The petition states that the use of high-intensity lights and sound systems at night disrupts animal movement and behavioural patterns, potentially leading to an increase in human-wildlife conflict. The area has witnessed a rise in leopard sightings in recent years, and the petitioner argues that any disturbance to their habitat could have serious ecological consequences.
Another key concern raised in the PIL is waste management at the site. The petitioner alleges that the restaurant generates plastic and food waste, which, if not properly managed, could harm the local environment and water bodies near the Siswan Dam. The petition calls for an independent environmental audit of the restaurant’s impact and urges the court to direct authorities to investigate potential violations of forest conservation laws.
The PIL seeks immediate intervention from the high court, requesting that operations at ‘The Prey’ be halted until a thorough inquiry is conducted. The court has adjourned the case to March 26.
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