GURUGRAM: An investigation has been launched into illegal construction activities in the Raisina Hills of Sohna Aravalis, following significant land clearing, tree felling, and unauthorized constructions in the area. Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Chandar Bidhan initiated the inquiry amidst rising public concern regarding the illegal activities occurring on land protected by the 1992 Aravali notification.
In a statement to TOI, he mentioned that the investigation aims to identify those responsible for the encroachments and evaluate the extent of environmental breaches. Complaints from local residents indicated the use of earthmovers to level extensive areas, heightening worries about permanent damage to the fragile ecosystem.
“We have received reports of non-forest activities in the region. An inquiry has been initiated,” Bidhan confirmed.
The 1992 notification restricts construction and other activities in protected zones, prohibiting any non-forest activities on ‘gair mumkin pahad’ (uncultivable) land without authorization. The Union Environment Ministry categorizes ‘gair mumkin pahar’ as protected territory, where any construction, electrification, or tree removal necessitates permission.
On December 9, 2022, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the governments of Haryana and Rajasthan to establish monitoring committees for quarterly evaluations of encroachment clearance in ‘gair mumkin pahar’ areas, including Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh, and Alwar.
The NGT bench, led by Chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel, instructed the chief secretaries of both states to ensure adherence to these guidelines.
Following this directive, the Gurgaon district administration conducted demolitions on November 13, yet illegal activities persisted.
According to a forest department survey, at least 500 farmhouses have been illegally constructed on Aravali land in Gurgaon, particularly in regions such as Gwalpahari, Abheypur, Gairatpur Bas, Sohna, Raisina, and Manesar.
In September 2021, the NGT ordered the governments to eliminate illegal structures and restore forest lands while submitting reports on the actions taken. A detailed list of these structures was presented in the Sonya Ghosh vs. State of Haryana case in 2022, highlighting the total area occupied and their specific locations.
In the meantime, environmentalists report large-scale encroachments continuing despite multiple demolition efforts. “We need a solid mechanism to monitor sensitive Aravali zones to ensure that wildlife corridors remain untouched. An increase in human-animal conflicts has been noted as forests are cleared and natural habitats are urbanized,” stated environmental activist Vaishali Rana.
Officials from the Sohna municipal council, which oversees the Raisina area, confirmed, “We are conducting a demolition drive in the region and will verify if any new constructions are taking place.”
