Game for saving Sukhna: Haryana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 1

The Haryana Government today assured the Punjab and Haryana High Court of blocking the flow of silt and sewage into Sukhna Lake. As the ‘Save Sukhna’ case came up for resumed hearing before a Division Bench of the High Court, the counsel appearing for the state guaranteed that the needful would be done.

The development is significant as sewage flowing into a nullah passing through Saketri was eventually finding its way into the lake. The Bench of Justice AK Mittal and Justice Harinder Singh Sidhu was also updated about a senior-level meeting held for discussing the issue.

The Bench was told that the minutes of meeting could not be signed as some of the members were out of station. The Bench was also told that the same would be placed before the Bench by the next date of hearing.

A six-member committee constituted in the ‘Save Sukhna’ case had met on Saturday at the UT Guesthouse for submitting suggestions. The High Court had earlier asked the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests; and the Union Ministry of Water Resources to look into the issue of depleting water level.

The Division Bench headed by Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal had also asked the Chandigarh Administration to ensure clean water channels for preventing restrictions in the free flow.

The rain-fed lake at the foothills of the Himalayas was created way back in 1958 by damming the Sukhna choe, a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik Hills. The Bench had asked senior standing counsel for the UT, Suvir Sehgal, to ask the authorities concerned to make sincere efforts “so that at least 2 feet water level is increased in the lake…”

The Bench had also received from senior advocate Manmohan Lal Sarin and amicus curiae or the friend of the court Tanu Bedi a comprehensive report on the basis of suggestions received from the people on saving the lake.

The High Court, in its order dated March 14, 2011, had also issued directions for restoring the lake and its former glory.

The Division Bench of the High Court in May 2012, had directed the states of Punjab and Haryana, along with the Chandigarh Administration, to not just stop the construction activity in the lake’s catchment area, but also demolish without notice any construction being carried out against the High Court mandate.

Six-member panel met on Saturday

• A six-member committee constituted in the ‘Save Sukhna’ case had met on Saturday at the UT Guesthouse for submitting suggestions. The High Court had earlier asked the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests; and the Union Ministry of Water Resources to look into the issue of depleting water level.
• The rain-fed lake at the foothills of the Himalayas was created way back in 1958 by damming the Sukhna choe, a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik Hills.