Mohali, April 24 -- Conceived 17 years ago, the plan to develop urban forest in Sector 97 is yet to see the daylight and the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has failed to acquire land so far.

Under the 2009 master plan prepared by GMADA, two sites were earmarked for green lung development, including one in Sector 62. While the green space in Sector 62 has been developed, work is yet to begin on the much larger and strategically planned urban forest in Sector 97. The total area under the planned green belt in Sector 97 is approximately 120 acres. GMADA has only 28 acres of land while the rest is yet to be acquired.

The designated green space was meant to feature dense plantations, biodiversity zones and recreational fac...