Badha lake: SC panel seeks report from chief secretary

Fazilka The issue of developing a Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) approved colony on eight acres of land in the vicinity of historical Badha Lake has taken another turn after the central empowered committee(CEC) of Supreme Court, looking after the environment and forests, sought a report from the state chief secretary. In a letter dated August 9, CEC member MK Jiwrajka has asked the chief secretary to submit report on the issue soon.

It may be mentioned that Graduates Welfare Association, Fazilka (GWAF), had last month raised objections when PUDA put up advertisements in the newspapers regarding the developing of a colony. GWAF members maintained that a plan to revive the lake has been submitted with the government. Punjab state science and technology department also stated that the lake can be revived and developing a colony in its vicinity was not justified, said Navdeep Asija, general secretary GWAF. The NGO has also filed a writ petition in the high court seeking a stay on the project.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 applicants have already applied to get a residential accommodation in the colony. Interestingly, the lake does not come under the notified wetlands of Punjab. However, Bhupinder Singh, a GWAF member brushes aside the fact. "Badha Lake wetland exists in the map of Municipal committee, Fazilka. It is surprising as to why state government never notified this wetland," Singh said.

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