Mohali housing societies, JLPL projects, UT industrial area units violating wildlife norms

Findings came to light during the annual audit of 2022-23

3 min readChandigarhUpdated: Dec 22, 2023 04:58 PM IST

sukhna sanctuary, chandigarh, mohali, indian express

OM says that WCC is required for any mega projects coming within 10 km radius of national park and sanctuaries. (File)

At least six mega projects including four in district Mohali and two within Chandigarh came into existence within the radius of 10 km of Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary and City Bird Sanctuary, Sector 21, without obtaining the Wildlife Clearance Certificate (WCC) between 2017 and 2023. The findings came into the light during the annual audit of financial year 2022-23.

Meanwhile, the director general of audit (DGA), Chandigarh, has asked the UT Wildlife and Forest Department to submit its reply asking them how these projects came into existence without obtaining WCC. It also asked the department to explain in what capacity it can issue WCCs to the projects coming up in district Mohali of Punjab.

Four Punjab-based projects, namely construction of Group Housing commercial, residential, industrial sites in Sector 88-89 in Mohali; project of Medicity Phase-1 and Phase-2 in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh in Mohali; commercial project ‘The Palm’ in village Mullanpur Garibdas in Mohali; and Janta Land Promoters Ltd’s Galaxy Heights and Super Mega Mixed-Integrated Industrial Park in Sector 82, 83 and Sector 66A in Mohali.

Two projects in Chandigarh include one of commercial Berkeley Square by Berkeley Realtech Ltd and Godrej Eternia by Godrej Estate Developers Pvt Ltd in Phase-1, Industrial Area. In September this year, Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) had sealed the Berkeley Square for violating multiple environment norms. Later, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had set aside an order of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), which had revoked environment clearance granted to the commercial firm.

“The audit department asked the UT Wildlife and Forest Department to submit the replies, relevant records despite knowing the fact that a detailed file related to these projects was seized by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on May 23 this year. The CBI had seized the file following the orders of UT Administrator Banwarlilal Purohit, who recommended a CBI probe to investigate the fudging of minutes of a State Wildlife Board meeting taken in 2022,” one of the sources said.

When contacted, Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF), UT, Tapish Chandra Nautiyal, said, “It is a complex issue.

According to an apex court judgment delivered in April the apex court had modified its order on eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries but ruled that states/UTs should strictly adhere and follow the provisions contained in the office memorandum (OM) dated May 17, 2022 issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MEF&CC). That OM says that WCC is required for any mega projects coming within 10 km radius of national park and sanctuaries”.

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During the audit inspection, the audit team observed that a proposal was sent to Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi, for the clearance of all six projects in 2017. The response from the central ministry is still pending. “The UT Forest and Wildlife Department should inform the DAG of the steps that were taken to procure the clearance from the ministry. Along with that, the department should submit a list of projects, which were allotted the WCCs and projects against which WCCs were rejected,” noted the audit team.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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