Three more illegal structures built in Aravali zone, greens alert government but no action yet

GURUGRAM: Environmentalists are up in arms against the authorities as three illegal structures have come up in two areas in Aravalis, which is protected under Section 4 & 5 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA). While two structures were built in Mewla Maharajpur, one was constructed in Ankheer, activists said.
The boundary walls of two farmhouses have been built in an area of over 13 acres in Mewla Maharajpur, while construction of a boundary wall has been completed and the work of a farmhouse is going on in Ankheer area. Trees at the site of farmhouse in Ankheer were chopped around three years ago, and in 2017 the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had penalised the land owner for felling them.
According to an estimate, more than 1,000 trees must have been felled to carry out construction of other two properties in Mewla Maharjpur area.
Sources said complaints have been filed at CM window, the forest department and the office of deputy commissioner on Sunday, alleging tree felling and encroachment in protected areas of the Aravalis.
“It is ironical that a farmhouse has come up even though the NGT, two years ago, penalised the land owner for cutting trees and encroaching the protected land. The land owner has secured a stay from the high court and resumed construction. Besides this, many new structures have come up. There has been a drastic rise in illegal construction of boundary walls for farmhouses in Faridabad. All this is happening in broad daylight and the authorities have been reduced to mute spectators,” said Sunil Harsana, a resident of Mangar.
Jitender Bhadana of environmental NGO Save Aravali said, “Despite filing multiple complaints with the forest department, no action has been taken against encroachers. When I filed an RTI query asking why action has not been taken, the district forest officer (Faridabad) said the department will pay the penalty for not answering the RTI query, but won’t give the response. The forest department is clearly hand-in-glove with the land mafia. If such encroachments continue, the green cover and the Aravalis will vanish in a few years. We demand strict action against environmental violations as Delhi-NCR is already reeling from severe groundwater crisis and high levels of pollution.”
No non-forest activity is permitted in Aravalis, as it falls under Sections 4 and 5 of the Punjab Land Protection Act. Despite calls and messages, district forest officer (Faridabad) Suresh Punia hasn’t replied to TOI’s queries.