The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Punjab government and other authorities on a plea alleging the leasing of protected forest land for operating illegal wine shops and taverns along the Sirhind Canal and Bist Doab Canal belt from Doraha to Ropar.
The matter came up before the tribunal on an application filed by the Public Action Committee (PAC) and its members, who alleged that liquor-related commercial activities were being permitted inside ecologically sensitive protected forest areas at seven locations, including Ropar, Bande Mahalan, Kamaalpur, Bassi Gujjran, Pawat, Gari Tarkhana and Aasron.
According to the applicants, field visits conducted by PAC revealed that several illegal wine shops and taverns were functioning within protected forest land along canal belts.
Notices were subsequently served upon the Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department, Punjab, and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Punjab, seeking removal of the illegal establishments.
The applicants submitted that instead of taking action, the Water Resources Department, through the Chief Engineer, Headquarters, stated that it was unaware that the land fell within protected forest areas and that the shops would be removed only after expiry of the lease period.
PAC members argued before the tribunal that the response was “arbitrary and legally unsustainable”, contending that authorities were duty-bound to verify the legal status of land before leasing it for commercial purposes.
The plea further stated that the leases were granted in July 2025 for a period of three years and were in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, settled environmental principles and directions issued by the Supreme Court and the NGT.
The applicants also alleged that trees were likely felled for establishment of the structures and that indiscriminate dumping of garbage and waste near the sites was causing environmental degradation and posing a threat to biodiversity and public health.
Referring to a communication dated December 2, 2025, the applicants claimed that the Water Resources Department itself had admitted that all seven establishments were situated on protected forest land.
The plea also relied upon the Supreme Court judgment in T.N. Godavarman Thirumalpad vs Union of India & Ors. dated May 15, 2025, which reiterated restrictions on diversion and commercial use of forest land.
The applicants sought immediate sealing and removal of the wine shops and taverns, restoration of the affected land, constitution of an independent joint committee for environmental assessment and action against officials responsible for permitting the activities.
After hearing the submissions, the NGT observed that the matter raised substantial questions relating to the environment under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, and issued notice to the respondents, directing them to file their replies within two months.
