Notices gather dust as construction activities continue in Aravalis

GURUGRAM: Construction activities are still going on in the protected Raisina hills of the Aravalis even though show-cause notices have been issued to the owners of several hundred farmhouses. No action, however, has been taken on the ground to remove the illegal structures, environmentalists said.

A recent visit to the site by TOI showed that construction is under way at three sites in Ansals Aravali Retreat, involving clearing of land and removal of vegetation. Trees have also been bulldozed to widen a pathway.

The area in question is ‘gair mumkin pahar’ (uncultivable hill) and is notified under Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), which prohibits tree felling. Under the Union environment ministry’s Aravali Notification, ‘gair mumkin pahad’ is protected land where construction of buildings, roads, electrification and cutting of trees is not permitted.

A large double-storey structure is under construction at one plot, where an earthmover was also operational on Friday, presumably to dig the foundations. A single-storey structure is under construction in another. At a third site, a wall is being constructed.

“Manicured gardens and horticultural plants in the area are evidences of clearing of the forest trees and vegetation. Most of these structures are being conducted in and around G-12 in Ansal Aravali Retreat, Raisina hills. The wall under construction is opposite to the water tower near E-55,” said SS Oberoi, an environmentalist.

He also said that the National Green Tribunal (NGT), in an order on October 23, 2018, had directed for removal of construction and restoration of forests in Gurgaon and Faridabad and also set up committees chaired by the deputy commissioners to implement the same. After seeking more time from the NGT, the Gurgaon district committee had in May directed that show-cause notices be issued for all constructions in violation of the Aravali Notification.

“Despitethe issue of notices, no demolitions have taken place in the last six months in the Raisina hills, which is the site of the highest number of illegal constructions in the Aravalis in Gurgaon. As a result, new construction is going on undeterred,” Oberoi said.

TOI had reported about the illegal construction activities in the area on November 18 as well.

Sohna Municipal Council officials said they will take “necessary action” against the violators. “A team was sent to the site and we stopped the ongoing work outside the compound. We found that the farmhouse was locked. We will be taking stringent action against all illegal construction in the area,” said Sandeep Mallik, executive officer, Sohna Municipal Council.