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‘Bulldozer has run amok’: Siswan ‘hills flattened and over 500 trees’ axed, BJP slams Punjab Govt

BJP leaders say the land is notified under section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act and a part of the Siswan Community Reserve Forest.

Siswan village illegal hill leveling, tree cutting in Siswan Punjab, Punjab BJP Vineet Joshi statement, illegal deforestation in Siswan,

Panchayat members of the Siswan village along with BJP leader Vineet Joshi at the site where 500 trees were allegedly cut. (Express photo)

Hills spread over several acres in Punjab’s Siswan village, adjoining New Chandigarh, are being illegally levelled and more than 500 trees have been cut, panchayat members and BJP leaders alleged on Tuesday, adding that despite repeated complaints, the forest, wildlife, panchayat departments and Punjab Police failed to act.

Punjab BJP media head Vineet Joshi, who visited the site along with Sarpanch Sanjeev Sharma, panchayat members, BJP leaders Mohit Gautam, panch Amandeep Sharma, and lambardar Sher Khan, accused the Government of turning a blind eye to the environmental destruction.

“All pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The bulldozer has run amok while officials remain mute spectators,” Joshi said.

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Joshi highlighted that the land in question, falling under Khasra number 453, is notified under section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) 1900. Under this Act, no farming, excavation, mining, tree cutting, or even cattle grazing is permitted. “If the law clearly prohibits any activity, then how have these hills been flattened and hundreds of trees destroyed?” he asked.

Joshi further said that the forest and wildlife protection department had already declared this region as the Siswan Community Reserve Forest. “This means no activity can be allowed that harms flora, fauna, or the ecology. Yet everything prohibited has been carried out openly,” he added.

Joshi demanded immediate registration of FIRs under the PLPA, the Wildlife Protection Act, the Forest Act, and criminal provisions for illegal trespass and encroachment on panchayat land. “Those who have cut the hills and felled over 500 trees must face strict action. If authorities fail to act, the BJP will raise this issue at higher forums,” he said.

Villagers echoed Joshi’s concern, alleging that despite repeated representations, the administration has “remained silent spectator”, allowing large-scale environmental damage in Siswan.

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