GURUGRAM: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has acknowledged environmental violations in the ecologically sensitive Aravali forest area near Suncity, Sector 54, and has issued notices to the Haryana government, forest department, and pollution department for clarification. The next hearing is scheduled for October 29, 2025.
The tribunal was presented with a petition from a local resident claiming that over 10 acres of Aravali land in Sector 54 has been encroached upon.
The petition outlines several violations on the forestland, which include the construction of unauthorized structures, the creation of a parking lot, illegal borewell installations, and incidents of light and noise pollution. It also emphasizes the concretization of natural stormwater drains and the operation of an unlicensed commercial cowshed, all of which contravene environmental laws and the 1992 Aravali Notification.
Petitioner Vaishali Rana is demanding the demolition and removal of all illegal constructions, a cessation of further development on the forestland, protection and restoration of the wildlife corridor, and the formation of a joint monitoring committee to ensure compliance and submit quarterly reports to the tribunal.
“Remove the 1.5 km unauthorized motorable road that traverses the forest and initiate ecological restoration. Seal illegal borewells and impose environmental compensation for groundwater misuse, sewage discharge, and waste burning. It is crucial to protect and restore the wildlife corridor and relocate over 250 cattle housed in the unlicensed gaushala. A Joint Monitoring Committee should be established to oversee compliance and provide quarterly updates to the tribunal,” the petition from Rana asserts.
The petition recounts a series of complaints beginning on November 28, 2024, when locals first reached out to the principal chief conservator of forests. A site inspection was carried out by the divisional forest officer on December 14. Despite verbal instructions given to the trustees managing the illegal structure in early January 2025 and multiple written complaints to forest and environmental authorities, violations purportedly persisted.
Subsequent action followed the inspection. On January 17, 2025, a forest offense report (FOR No. 014/0519) was documented, citing the construction of an unlawful parking lot.
On June 23, new representations were submitted to the deputy commissioner and state pollution control board concerning ongoing violations. The petition alleges inaction and regulatory lapses despite formal findings made by forest officials. Rana, who is also a trustee of the Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement, stated, “A significant new structure has been erected over the past two months, including concretized areas, metal sheds, and a cement parking lot now covering over two acres. Loudspeakers on the premises play amplified music throughout the day, disrupting wildlife in the adjacent eco-sensitive region.” Activists have also reported installation of high-intensity floodlights that interfere with nocturnal wildlife movements.
In response to these allegations, a forest official stated, “We will provide the tribunal with detailed information regarding the matter.”
