The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has served notices to the Punjab government and the Deputy Commissioners of six districts regarding a petition that contests the ‘Low Impact Green Habitats (LIGH) Policy, 2025.’ The Public Action Committee (PAC) has raised concerns that this policy may lead to significant construction and development in the state’s remaining significant forest areas.
In an order dated May 18, 2026, the Tribunal instructed the Deputy Commissioners of SAS Nagar, Rupnagar, SBS Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, and Gurdaspur to provide documentation concerning the status of demarcation for land that has been delisted under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA). They are also required to report on existing constructions and any permissions granted under the contested policy. The Tribunal is set to revisit the case on July 21.
The PAC, which identifies itself as a non-political citizens’ group without vested land interests in the Shivalik foothills, has recently initiated a movement called Shivalik Morcha.
According to a statement from PAC member Jaskirat Singh, the Punjab government had failed to conduct a promised demarcation exercise over the past 15 years. In 2025, however, it introduced a policy that allows for both the regularization of existing structures and the granting of new permissions in an ecologically sensitive area.
The PAC pointed out that a meeting led by the then Chief Secretary on April 26, 2010, resulted in a formal agreement to demarcate all delisted PLPA land in the Shivalik-Kandi region using funds from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Despite the passage of fifteen years, this demarcation has yet to be completed.
During this time, the PAC claims, numerous constructions, including farmhouses, resorts, banquet halls, and estate-style buildings, have emerged across the Shivalik foothills, often on land with uncertain legal status.
The committee characterizes the Shivalik-Kandi region as Punjab’s last remaining continuous forest area and emphasizes the significant environmental ramifications of the situation. With only 3.67 percent forest cover compared to the national average of 33 percent, this issue is particularly critical. The PAC also stated that nearly 68 percent of Punjab’s forest cover is located in the six districts impacted by the LIGH Policy.
The committee asserted, “This is not vacant land,” highlighting that the area serves as a vital watershed, wildlife corridor, and soil stabilizer for Punjab.
Moreover, the PAC contended that the LIGH Policy violates the conditions established by the Supreme Court regarding the limited delisting of certain PLPA lands in 2005 during the TN Godavarman case. The Supreme Court had permitted such delisting only under the stipulation that the land would not be utilized for commercial purposes and would be restricted to legitimate agricultural activities that serve the livelihood needs of local residents.
The committee also referred to approvals granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2006 and 2009, along with a clarification issued on March 27, 2015, which reiterated that any non-forest utilization of such lands would invoke the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980.
Representatives from the PAC, Senior Advocate R.S. Bains and Advocate Shehbaz Thind, presented their case before a bench led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Expert Member Dr. Afroz Ahmad. The PAC has requested a stay on the enforcement of the LIGH Policy.
