NGT Takes Action Against Green Belt Encroachments in Ludhiana
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has escalated its response to environmental violations in Ludhiana by issuing formal notices to key authorities. This action targets the District Magistrate, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for their alleged failure to comply with previous tribunal directives concerning encroachments on the city's vital green belts.
Origins of the Case: Public Action Committee's Plea
The case stems from an application filed by the Public Action Committee (PAC), which highlighted repeated and systematic encroachments on green belts and public parks by various government bodies. These include the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana Improvement Trust, and GLADA. Petitioners Kapil Arora and Jaskirat Singh specifically identified illegal constructions along Old GT Road near the Buddha Dariya, adjacent to the Sarabha Nagar (Zone D) Office, in Model Town Extension, and around several other parks, underscoring a pattern of environmental disregard.
Previous Tribunal Order and Committee Formation
On July 31, 2025, the NGT had disposed of the initial matter by establishing a joint committee. This committee was composed of the regional officer of the MoEF&CC, the member secretary of the PPCB, and the District Magistrate, who served as the nodal agency. Their mandate was clear: verify whether the identified areas were officially earmarked as green spaces and, in cases of encroachment, initiate both remedial and punitive actions within a strict three-month timeframe. The tribunal also demanded a detailed action-taken report to ensure accountability.
Allegations of Non-Compliance and Fresh Violations
Petitioners Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Gurpreet Singh have raised serious concerns, alleging that over six months have passed without any compliance from the committee. Despite multiple attempts to seek updates—including WhatsApp messages sent to the District Magistrate on September 14, 2025, and January 10, 2026, as well as an email dated November 21, 2025, addressed to all committee members—there has been no response. Dr. Amandeep Singh Bains and Mohit Saggar further highlighted that fresh construction of a tehsil office has recently commenced within the same green belt along Old GT Road. They describe this as a blatant violation of environmental laws, the city's master plan, and the explicit directions issued by the NGT.
Execution Application and Tribunal Hearing
In response to this continued and willful non-compliance, members of the PAC filed an Execution Application before the NGT. The matter was heard on Wednesday by the Chairperson Bench, which resulted in the issuance of notices to the District Magistrate, PPCB, and MoEF&CC. The authorities have been directed to file their replies or submit a compliance report at least one week before the next hearing, which is scheduled for July 7. This step underscores the tribunal's commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and protecting urban green spaces from illegal encroachments.
The situation in Ludhiana reflects broader challenges in urban environmental governance, where green belts are increasingly threatened by unauthorized constructions. The NGT's intervention aims to set a precedent for stricter adherence to environmental laws and ensure that public parks and green areas are preserved for community well-being and ecological balance.
