Unlawful Encroachment: The illegal construction menace in the Aravalli Range

A significant portion of the Aravalli terrain in the vicinity of Gurugram has been stripped of its trees, levelled, enclosed with fences, and transformed into walled compounds. Some of these compounds even feature signs advertising the presence of farmhouses.

Located just one kilometre from Golf Course Road Extension, this approximately 35-acre area falls under the khasra numbers L68/1 and L69 (plot numbers used in rural areas). It is a part of the Aravalli Plantation project, which grants it protection under the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. The felling of trees and construction activities are illegal on land that falls under the jurisdiction of the Forest Conservation Act.

According to recent reports in the press, reporters that visited the area claim workers were seen carrying bricks across the excavated land, while tracks from earth-moving machinery were visible nearby. Back in December 2018, The Times of India had published an article stating that a complete hillock in Raisina village had been demolished to make space for expansive farmhouses.

Following the report, inquiries were initiated, but unfortunately, the harm inflicted was irreversible. Furthermore, satellite images provided visual evidence that the once-forested hill, as recently as September 2017, had transformed into a desolate area by December 2022. It displayed green patches and enclosed compounds surrounded by fences.

According to an anonymous villager, the land in question is classified as village common land and is managed by the local panchayat. However, currently, individuals are granting power of attorney to private entities, as per the villager's statement.

Sunil Harsana, a wildlife researcher, and activist expressed concern over the detrimental impact caused by the destruction of hill areas, which contributes to the alarming degradation of the Aravalli Mountain Ranges. These ranges play a crucial role as the sole barrier between the Thar desert and northern India. He emphasized that when all these activities are considered together, they collectively contribute to the erosion of the Aravalli ecosystem.

Activists reiterated that the persistent violations highlight the urgent requirement for an Aravalli task force, an initiative that was announced by the government back in 2016 but has yet to be implemented.

Chetan Agarwal, an independent analyst, emphasized the significance of the rocky quartzite hills and sandy dunes (known as "bhood" locally) in Behrampur, which are crucial for recharging groundwater in Gurgaon. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of forests in this area as essential habitats for wildlife and as the city's green lungs. Agarwal asserted that these natural resources deserve protection, and any attempts to privatize this land should be challenged by the authorities.

In 2004, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that designated 82,000 acres of Aravalli land across six districts of Haryana for protection under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA). In the years leading up to this ruling, approximately 350 villages and their inhabitants had carried out activities on this land.

This story was first published by Times of India (TOI)

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Unlawful Encroachment: The illegal construction menace in the Aravalli Range

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