Declaration of Sukhna lake as wetland will affect MSMEs in the area

Chandigarh, Oct 23 (KNN) The Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) near and around Sukhna lake, which is proposed to be declared a wetland, will be affected as the lake which was created in 1958, won't see any business such as commercial mining, stone quarrying and crushing units.

The UT Administration has proposed in a draft notification issued on Tuesday to declare the lake a wetland in pursuance of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, notified by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. 

However, residents have been given two months to file their objections and suggestions on the draft notification.

The prohibited activities in the catchment of the Sukhna wetland include setting up of saw mills, commercial use of firewood, new wood-based industry, hunting and release of untreated waste water. Besides, activities to be regulated in the catchment area are construction activities, introduction of exotic species, air (including noise) and vehicular pollution, eco-friendly cottages for temporary occupation of tourists such as tents, wooden houses, etc. for eco-friendly tourism activities and discharge of treated effluents and Solid waste dumping, discharge of untreated waste and effluents from industries.

On the other hand, regulated activities will include Commercial establishment of hotels and resorts. No new commercial hotels and resorts shall be permitted and the existing ones shall be maintained, Electrical and telecommunication towers, high tension transmission lines, Eco-tourism activity, felling of trees, use of plastic carry bags.

---------------------