Shimla, Apr 4
Expressing concern over the receding deodar green cover and trees in Shimla Planning area, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, V P Mohan, has appealed to the Prime Minister to take cognizance of the Shimla Development Plan and immediately stop the Smart City works currently ongoing in Shimla.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Former PCCF accused the incumbent Congress government and Judiciary of ignoring the fast-receding Green belt in the Shimla town.
He said that a multistory hotel is coming up in Choota Shimla Nigam Vihar green belt at Nozzle wood, and green felling was allowed in the construction of buildings.
Mohan said that Himachal has become a stronghold of corruption in the environmental sector. In such a situation, he has demanded from the Prime Minister that the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology should be brought under a task force to ensure the development activities in the Himalayan region.
V P Mohan, who retired from the post of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in the Himachal Pradesh government, said that concrete jungles are being built in Shimla by removing deodar trees.
He said that the state government has failed to conserve the natural beauty of Shimla.
Accusing the government, the former forest officer said that the government presented wrong facts before the Supreme Court regarding the Shimla Development Plan.
V P Mohan has claimed illegal construction in the green belt area of Shimla should not be allowed, and 17 green belts, which are interlinking forest area and private lands under Deodar forest, should be fenced by the Shimla Municipal and Forest department.
V P Mohan said that during the time of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, a plan was made to determine 17 green belts in Shimla, when he was working as the Principal Chief Minister Conservator.
VP Mohan said that this plan should be implemented again in Shimla. He said that the portfolio of the forest department is with the Chief Minister, so he also met the officials, CM, and Governor but no action was taken.
Former PCCF accused the BJP and Congress government of taking credit for opening green belts for construction and misrepresenting the facts before the Supreme Court.
He also said that Justice Gavai, who was presiding over a three-judge bench in Shimla development plan, was also approached after the verdict of Shimla development plan.
He informed media persons that in such a situation, he would appeal to the Prime Minister to take cognizance of this. He said that the Smart City work currently going on in Shimla should be stopped immediately. He said that Himachal has become a stronghold of the environment in the field of environment.
I would urge the Prime Minister that he should deploy the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and Eco Task Force in Himachal to approve new development activities in the Shimla town, he added.
Empower Independent Journalism – Join Us Today!
Dear Reader,
We’re committed to unbiased, in-depth journalism that uncovers truth and gives voice to the unheard. To sustain our mission, we need your help. Your contribution, no matter the size, fuels our research, reporting, and impact.
Stand with us in preserving independent journalism’s integrity and transparency. Support free press, diverse perspectives, and informed democracy.
Click [here] to join and be part of this vital endeavour.
Thank you for valuing independent journalism.
Warmly,
Vishal Sarin, Editor
