Panchkula: The MC’s proposal to construct a fairground on 24 acres at the Sector 20 mango grove near Kundi village has not gone down well with residents.Mayor Sham Lal Bansal recently announced the proposal and said he would seek permission from the state govt.However, residents have voiced concerns about tree felling, increased air pollution, vehicular traffic, parking issues and congestion in residential areas.Demonstrations are being held, an online campaign has been initiated, and memoranda opposing the proposal are being submitted to the MC.Residents have urged the civic body to preserve the site as a mango heritage area, urban biodiversity park or joggers’ park instead.In a representation to the Panchkula mayor, residents said the orchard serves as the “green heart” of the sector and provides shade, biodiversity and natural relief from dust and noise.They also pointed out that the site has mature trees and is frequented by peafowl. They apprehended that converting it into a fairground could require the removal of mature trees and permanently alter the site.They cited examples of fairgrounds in Hisar, Sirsa, Faridabad and Kurukshetra, where complaints or challenges related to waste management, pollution, sewage, traffic, parking and post-event cleaning have been reported.They urged the MC to choose a separate site for large commercial fairs and exhibitions, where traffic, parking, cleanliness and security arrangements could be planned in advance.“Mela ground means more pollution, loss of greenery and loss of biodiversity. This move must be opposed. Maintenance of a park with a good walking footpath should be ideal,” said Sector 10 resident Om Prakash.Sector 16 resident Upasana Sethi said, “No matter how the trees have been planted, they provide oxygen and shade. Concrete does not benefit anyone. It will only result in more garbage and increased traffic. The question of design details does not even arise because none of us are involved in the development or planning of this fairground.”Mohit Gupta, founder of Solution Box, a residents’ body, said the area has hundreds of mature mango and other fruit-bearing trees that serve as a habitat for wildlife and peafowl. “Cutting trees for this mela ground is an unwelcome and damaging step,” he asserted.Residents said Sector 20, with more than 100 high-rise colonies, is among the most densely populated areas of Panchkula.While the mayor maintained that no major damage would be done to the trees, residents remain unconvinced.Key objections–Possible felling of mature mango and other fruit-bearing trees–Threat to peafowl and local biodiversity–Increase in air and noise pollution during fairs and exhibitions–Traffic congestion on surrounding roads–Parking pressure in nearby residential areas–Concerns over waste management, sewage and post-event cleanliness–Fear of permanent alteration of the mango grove ecosystemResidents’ demands–Preserve the site as a mango heritage zone–Develop an urban biodiversity park–Create a joggers’ park and green recreational space–Retain the orchard as the sector’s “green heart”–Identify an alternative site for fairs and exhibitions–Plan traffic, parking, cleanliness and security arrangements separately for any future fairground
