Around 25 acres encroached in Faridabad Aravalis, five farmhouses built

GURUGRAM: Around 25 acres of forest land have been allegedly encroached upon in the Aravalis in Faridabad’s Ankhir village. No non-forest activity is permitted in the area, as it falls under Sections 4 and 5 of the Punjab Land Protection Act (PLPA), 1900. As many as five new illegally-built farmhouses have come up in Ankhir. Fresh construction is still underway, according to locals.

This is the same area where a forest guard was allegedly thrashed by some men in July last year. The guard was inspecting the forest in the village for encroachment when he noticed that a wall had been constructed illegally there.

He was taking photos of the construction when a group of men carrying sticks accosted him and thrashed him, according to the forest department. Earlier, an FIR had been filed on November 11, 2019 after a complaint by the department regarding the same problem.

“We have received information about the encroachment and have sent a team to inspect it. This is the same area where a guard was thrashed last year. After that incident, we haven’t deputed any staff in that area. We will take the help of police and the district magistrate in this case and take action,” said Raj Kumar, divisional forest officer, Faridabad.

Kumar also said the department is preparing a list of such illegal structures in Faridabad , after which they will be razed.

Meanwhile, environmental activists blamed the authorities for not addressing the issue of encroachment in the Aravalis. “The forest department has failed to take action against the encroachers. In around 25 acres of forest land, illegal roads and construction have come up. Felling of trees and illegal mining is also being carried out. The encroachers have also constructed five farmhouses. These activities are causing irreversible damage to the eco-sensitive Aravalis,” said Vivek Kamboj, an activist.

Last year, the district magistrate of Faridabad had ordered demolition of illegal structures in Ankhir twice. It was found at least 15 sites had been illegally occupied and structures had also been constructed on them. The areas where most of the encroachments were found were Ankhir, Badkal and Mangar. According to sources, three years ago, then commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad had prepared a list of 144 encroachments in the forest area and similarly, the forest department had sent a list of encroachments in over 500 acres by about 92 individuals. These lists were sent to the district administration for action; however, no major action has been taken yet.