The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday issued notice to the Punjab government and other respondents on a petition filed by the Council of Engineers challenging the state’s newly notified “Farm Stay Policy-2026”, which allegedly permits commercial construction on agricultural land delisted from the list of forest areas under the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900.A Bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad heard the applicant filed by the Council of Engineers through its applicant-in-person, Kapil Dev. The matter has now been listed on July 21.The petition issued by the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs on May 6, 2026, allows new farm stay units on agricultural land measuring at least one acre. It permits construction up to 10 per cent ground coverage, FAR of 1:0.20, two storeys (ground plus first) and a maximum height of nine metres, along with activities like boarding, lodging, farming experiences, rides, fisheries, dairy and rural product shopping.The applicant argued that the policy extends to areas delisted under the state government’s notification dated August 26, 2011, which was issued in pursuance of a Supreme Court order in the T N Godavarman Thirumulpad case. The delisting of 65,670.26 hectares was meant strictly for bona fide agricultural use and livelihood needs, with an explicit bar on commercial activities.The 2011 notification categorically states: “The state government shall ensure that no commercial activity is permitted on such de-listed land” and that the land “shall be used only for bona fide use for agriculture and for sustaining the livelihood of the people/owner of the land.”The plea also referred to a 2018 letter from the Conservator of Forests reiterating restrictions under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, guidelines, which generally do not permit diversion of forest land for construction of buildings except for limited public utility purposes.The applicant submitted that the Farm Stay Policy violates the state’s own notification and Supreme Court directions by allowing commercial farm tourism units on such land. He pointed out that a similar challenge has already been filed against an executive notification dated November 20, 2025.The order comes amid growing concerns over commercial activities on ecologically sensitive lands in Punjab that were earlier part of the protected forest cover under the Punjab Land Preservation Act.