Finalise Punjab's ESZ draft in 3 months: SC to green min

The Punjab cabinet on April 11 had approved the eco-sensitive zone limit ranging from 100 metres to 3 km around different parts of the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary

- Hillary Victor

MOHALI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) to finalise notification of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary on the Punjab side within three months.

During a hearing on Wednesday, the Punjab government informed the court that the state cabinet had approved the ESZ limit ranging between 100 metres and 3 km around different parts of the sanctuary, as stated in the affidavit submitted during the previous hearing on March 19, 2025.

This draft notification in this regard has been sent to the green ministry for final approval, the court was informed.

Ministry representatives present in the court acknowledged that they had recently received the proposal.

Disposing of the case, the top court directed the ministry to finalise the ESZ notification for Punjab within three months.