GURUGRAM: On Monday, the forest department took action against unauthorized construction in the protected Aravali region by demolishing a concrete wall and two farmhouses in the Raisina hill area. The affected land covers approximately 26 acres, where inspections revealed the illegal use of earthmovers and extensive concretization.
Divisional Forest Officer (Gurgaon) Raj Kumar stated the action was warranted after confirming the resumption of construction activities in violation of environmental regulations. An earthmover was deployed to remove the concrete structures along a narrow forest path, leaving debris scattered across the hillside.
This region falls under the Aravali Notification of 1992, which prohibits construction of roads, boundary walls, and buildings, as well as tree felling without the necessary approvals. Non-forest activities are banned on land designated as gair mumkin pahad (uncultivable hill) without appropriate clearances.
This crackdown follows previous reports highlighting significant violations in Raisina. An earlier TOI report detailed a nearly 30-meter-wide road cut into the protected hills, resulting in the felling of over 100 trees. This road connects to an existing route below the forest, raising concerns about increased access and ongoing encroachments.
Previous inspections indicated large areas of freshly cleared land, stripped vegetation, and heaps of excavated soil and loose rock along the ridge. Cut branches, stumps, and exposed roots were visible at several sites, with new boundary walls and gates observed shortly after vegetation clearance.
In several instances, boundary walls were erected around standing trees, effectively enclosing them within private plots. Environmentalists warn that such actions often precede total land clearing. There were also observations of flattened hilltops with ongoing construction of multi-storey buildings.
Environmentalists have consistently highlighted that even repairing old paths with concrete can irreversibly affect natural drainage, soil structure, and wildlife corridors. “Despite repeated efforts to demolish illegal constructions, encroachments persist,” stated Col (retd) SS Oberoi.
In 2024, the National Green Tribunal took note of a TOI report concerning illegal construction at Ansal’s Aravali Retreat in Raisina, labeling the reconstruction of demolished structures a “flagrant violation” of earlier directives. In December 2022, the tribunal ordered the Haryana and Rajasthan governments to establish a monitoring committee for regular evaluations until all encroachments on Aravali land were addressed.
