The Haryana Government has officially notified the Zonal Master Plan for the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). This plan lays down clear rules for what can and cannot be done within a 24.61 sq. km buffer area surrounding the sanctuary's boundary.
The notification, issued by the state Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department on August 26, covers 10 villages and parts of Panchkula city. It gives practical effect to the ESZ that the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had already demarcated in November 2024.
What the Sukhna Sanctuary Eco-Sensitive Zone Master Plan Covers
The ESZ extends between 1 km and 2.035 km from the sanctuary's edge. This buffer zone now has a detailed regulatory framework that specifies what activities are allowed, what is prohibited, and what needs to be regulated within this area.
The master plan is designed to protect the ecological health of the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary while balancing the needs of people living nearby. The plan touches both rural villages and urban parts of Panchkula city, making it a significant regulatory document for the region.
Construction Ban and Local Resident Exemptions
One of the most important provisions in the master plan is the prohibition on new constructions of any kind within the catchment of the sanctuary. This includes commercial hotels and resorts, which will no longer be permitted to come up in the eco-sensitive zone.
However, the plan makes an important exception for local residents. People who own land in the area shall be permitted to undertake construction on their own property. This exemption aims to ensure that the ban on new development does not unfairly disadvantage those who have lived in the region for generations.
The distinction between commercial projects and residential needs of locals is a key feature of the plan. While the government wants to prevent unchecked commercial growth near the sanctuary, it also recognises the legitimate rights of residents to build on their own land.
Why This Sukhna Sanctuary ESZ Notification Matters
This notification is the result of a two-step process. First, the Union Ministry demarcated the eco-sensitive zone in November 2024. Now, the state government has prepared and notified the detailed master plan that will govern activities in that zone.
The plan provides clarity for residents, businesses, and authorities about what is allowed in the buffer area. For residents, it confirms their right to build on their land. For businesses, it makes clear that new commercial constructions like hotels and resorts will not be permitted.
Our Take: Balancing Conservation and Local Rights
In our view, this master plan strikes a sensible balance between two competing needs. On one hand, the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary needs protection from unchecked development that could harm its ecosystem. On the other hand, local residents cannot be treated as trespassers on their own land.
The blanket ban on new commercial constructions is a strong conservation measure. It sends a clear signal that the sanctuary's catchment area is not open for business development. At the same time, the exemption for local residents shows that the government understands the human dimension of environmental regulation.
To put it plainly, this plan is about drawing a clear line. The line protects the sanctuary from commercial exploitation while ensuring that people who already live there can continue to use their land. The real test will be in enforcement — whether the rules laid out in this master plan are actually implemented on the ground.
For residents of the 10 villages and Panchkula city, this notification brings certainty. They now know exactly where they stand. For environmentalists, it provides a legal framework to hold authorities accountable. The Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary now has a defined protective shield, and that is good news for conservation.