Latest news with #PunjabLandPreservationAct
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Gurgaon environmentalist moves NGT over alleged encroachment, illegal constructions by temple trust in Sector 54
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Monday sought the response of the Centre, the Haryana government, the State pollution control board, and a temple trust in connection with alleged environmental violations in the Aravallis at Sector 54 in Gurgaon. The matter, which will next be heard on October 29, deals with alleged illegal constructions and encroachment by the Kholi-waale Baba Temple Trust at Haiderpur Viran, behind Suncity. The applicant, Vaishali Rana, Trustee, Aravallis Bachao, moved the Principal Bench of the NGT at New Delhi claiming that the encroachments not only threaten fragile ecological zones but also contravene legal mandates restricting any non-forest activities on notified forest land. She has sought the removal of encroachments attributed to the temple trust, restoration of the demarcated forest area to its original state, and a direction to the relevant authorities to ensure that no further encroachment or construction is permitted at the site. The petition also asks for directions for periodic monitoring and enforcement to prevent recurrence. 'The illegal constructions, borewells, road laying, and concretisation of natural features within the Aravalli forest area are in blatant violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900 … encroachment on Protected Forest Land like expansion of the temple complex, cemented parking, metal sheds, and reconstruction of the road amount to illegal encroachment on protected forest land, which is impermissible under applicable forest and land preservation statutes,' the petitioner pointed out. The destruction of natural drainage and groundwater recharge systems due to the complete concretisation of a natural stormwater creek has also been flagged. Further, the petitioner has sought that the approximately 250-300 cattle, currently housed in the allegedly illegally constructed gaushala (cowshed) within the forest area by the Temple Trust, be safely relocated and rehabilitated to a lawful and appropriate facility. In an earlier petition filed before the NGT, Rana had highlighted the disappearance of ponds and water bodies at the Gwal Pahari and Badshahpur tehsils of Gurgaon.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Has Bandhwari landfill overshot its area? Forest dept to probe, demarcate
1 2 G urgaon: The Bandhwari landfill site has seen an expansion over the past 18 months, extending well beyond its legally sanctioned boundaries, according to locals and activists. The landfill has purportedly encroached upon at least 20 acres, which residents claimed is part of the legally protected Aravali forest land, which is protected under Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), requiring the forest department's approval for non-forest activities. The expansion has raised alarms, particularly due to the spread of leachate—a toxic liquid byproduct of decomposing waste—into the adjacent forest zone. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon The Aravali ecosystem is crucial for maintaining regional air quality and groundwater recharge, and contamination poses health hazards. In response to this, a forest department team visited the site, instructing MCG to take immediate corrective measures to prevent leachate contamination. "Leachate is spilling into the Aravalis. We have told MCG to immediately take corrective steps," said Subhash Yadav, forest conservator (south Haryana). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The landfill now covers more than 30 acres, intensifying pressure on the authorities to enforce compliance with legal and environmental standards. Despite warnings held earlier, including those issued in March 2023, no substantial corrective actions have been taken. Environmental activists said the problems transcends waste management, highlighting encroachments on protected forest land by a govt agency. "This is not just about waste management anymore. It's a clear case of forest land being gradually eaten up by a govt agency itself," said Vaishali Rana, an environmentalist. Residents, like Harbir Harsana, express edfrustration over the encroachment and its impact on their communities. "Landfill has been encroaching on land which is not earmarked for it. Leachate is intentionally pushed towards our village. We have been suffering. We understand that MCG needs space to process waste, but they need to follow the norms. They have enough land, and they should stick to it. MCG is encroaching on land which doesn't belong to it," Harsana added. The landfill, originally spread over 28.9 acres and reaching a height of 38m, lacks a proper waste treatment facility. Despite this, approximately 2,200 metric tonnes of waste are added daily, exacerbating environmental concerns and threatening the surrounding ecosystem. In response to encroachment allegations, the forest department plans to conduct an official demarcation of the area to assess the extent of illegal expansion and determine if protected land has been compromised. The assessment will likely inform further actions or penalties if violations are confirmed. "We will carry out demarcation of the area and we will get it clear," said Raj Kumar, divisional forest officer (DFO). In September 2022, National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 100 crore on the Haryana govt for environmental damage caused by waste dumping in the Bandhwari forest area. The tribunal urged the state govt to implement corrective measures, leading to formation of an NGT panel. The panel recommended construction of a temporary wall and use of two acres for disposal of daily garbage from Gurgaon and Faridabad to manage the legacy waste effectively.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Has Bandhwari landfill overshot its area? Forest department to probe, demarcate
1 2 G urgaon: The Bandhwari landfill site has seen an expansion over the past 18 months, extending well beyond its legally sanctioned boundaries, according to locals and activists. The landfill has purportedly encroached upon at least 20 acres, which residents claimed is part of the legally protected Aravali forest land, which is protected under Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), requiring the forest department's approval for non-forest activities. The expansion has raised alarms, particularly due to the spread of leachate—a toxic liquid byproduct of decomposing waste—into the adjacent forest zone. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon The Aravali ecosystem is crucial for maintaining regional air quality and groundwater recharge, and contamination poses health hazards. In response to this, a forest department team visited the site, instructing MCG to take immediate corrective measures to prevent leachate contamination. "Leachate is spilling into the Aravalis. We have told MCG to immediately take corrective steps," said Subhash Yadav, forest conservator (south Haryana). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa Prices in Dubai Might Be Lower Than You Think! Villa for sale in Dubai | Search Ads Learn More Undo The landfill now covers more than 30 acres, intensifying pressure on the authorities to enforce compliance with legal and environmental standards. Despite warnings held earlier, including those issued in March 2023, no substantial corrective actions have been taken. Environmental activists said the problems transcends waste management, highlighting encroachments on protected forest land by a govt agency. "This is not just about waste management anymore. It's a clear case of forest land being gradually eaten up by a govt agency itself," said Vaishali Rana, an environmentalist. Residents, like Harbir Harsana, express edfrustration over the encroachment and its impact on their communities. "Landfill has been encroaching on land which is not earmarked for it. Leachate is intentionally pushed towards our village. We have been suffering. We understand that MCG needs space to process waste, but they need to follow the norms. They have enough land, and they should stick to it. MCG is encroaching on land which doesn't belong to it," Harsana added. The landfill, originally spread over 28.9 acres and reaching a height of 38m, lacks a proper waste treatment facility. Despite this, approximately 2,200 metric tonnes of waste are added daily, exacerbating environmental concerns and threatening the surrounding ecosystem. In response to encroachment allegations, the forest department plans to conduct an official demarcation of the area to assess the extent of illegal expansion and determine if protected land has been compromised. The assessment will likely inform further actions or penalties if violations are confirmed. "We will carry out demarcation of the area and we will get it clear," said Raj Kumar, divisional forest officer (DFO). In September 2022, National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 100 crore on the Haryana govt for environmental damage caused by waste dumping in the Bandhwari forest area. The tribunal urged the state govt to implement corrective measures, leading to formation of an NGT panel. The panel recommended construction of a temporary wall and use of two acres for disposal of daily garbage from Gurgaon and Faridabad to manage the legacy waste effectively.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Make restoration plans for area ravaged by illegal mining at Nuh in Haryana: SC to CEC
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the central empowered committee to make plans in consultation with the Haryana government to restore an area in Aravalli zone of Nuh district ravaged by illegal mining. Make restoration plans for area ravaged by illegal mining at Nuh in Haryana: SC to CEC A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and Joymalya Bagchi asked the state government to extend 'due cooperation" to the apex court-appointed CEC in formulating the restoration plans. The bench took note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, and expressed satisfaction over steps taken so far to remedy the situation. Advocate Gaurav Bansal represented farmers affected by the illegal mining. The bench has posted the matter after 12 weeks. On May 29, the top court came down heavily on the Haryana government for not taking action against mining mafia and its errant officials accused of violating forest laws and facilitating illegal transportation of stones mined from the Aravallis in Nuh to Rajasthan. It was very critical of the 'evasive' affidavit filed by the chief secretary of Haryana in the matter. The bench was considering a plea related to construction of an unauthorised 1.5-kilometer road through the protected Aravalli forest land by mining mafia "in collusion with the state government officials" to facilitate illegal transportation of stones mined from the Aravallis in Nuh to Rajasthan. The CEC had filed a report to this effect. 'From the perusal of the affidavit it is not reflected as to what actions have been taken against the erring officials and the mining mafia who are dishonestly dismantling the hills,' the CJI then said. The bench subsequently directed the chief secretary to take action against all erring officials and file an affidavit by July 16. Any further laxity on the part of the government would invite punitive orders from it as permissible under the law, the bench added. The CEC report, submitted to the apex court on April 15, flagged serious breaches of the Forest Act, 1980, and the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900, citing environmental degradation, destruction of wildlife habitat, and administrative inaction. The road, according to the report, was built using heavy machinery without legal clearances, slicing through notified forest and agricultural land. The construction, which began in October 2024 and ended in April 2025, disrupted decades-old Aravalli plantations and wildlife corridors, particularly those vital for leopard movement, the report mentioned. The committee further noted a 'non-cooperative attitude' from senior revenue officials, some of whom allegedly skipped multiple meetings on the issue. The report hinted at a possible collusion with local "political actors" and mining mafias. The case stems from a petition filed by residents of Basai Meo village in November last year, alleging that a road illegally constructed through forest and agricultural land was facilitating the transportation of stones mined from the Aravallis in Nuh to Rajasthan via the border village of Biwan. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Villagers urge CM to halt Aravalli demolitions
Residents of Anangpur village in Faridabad have urged Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini to stop the planned demolition of thousands of structures flagged as illegal under the ongoing Aravalli forest land reclamation drive. The appeal comes weeks after a demolition campaign began in the village, following a 2023 state survey that identified over 5,900 unauthorised constructions in the region. Residents of Anangpur village in Faridabad have urged Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini to stop the planned demolition. (Archives) On Wednesday, a delegation of Anangpur villagers met the chief minister at the PWD Rest House in Gurugram. The group was accompanied by Union Minister of State Krishan Pal Gurjar, Ballabhgarh MLA Mool Chand Sharma, NIT Faridabad MLA Satish Fagna, and Badkhal MLA Dhanesh Adlakha. The leaders said the demolition poses a threat to the homes, livelihoods, and cultural legacy of one of Faridabad's oldest settlements. The drive stems from a 2022 Supreme Court directive ordering the removal of illegal structures from land protected under Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), including areas in the ecologically sensitive Aravalli region. The state's 2023 survey flagged over 5,900 unauthorised constructions—mostly farmhouses, banquet halls, gates, and boundary walls—across multiple villages. More than 5,000 of these fall under forest department jurisdiction. To be sure, the residents do not hold any documents since it is a forest land. Anangpur was among the first to face action under the expanded Aravalli reclamation campaign, which began last month and is expected to extend to other Faridabad villages, including Lakkarpur, Mewla Maharajpur, and Ankhir. Similar notices have also been served in Gurugram's Gairatpur Bas, Sakatpur, and Manesar. After the meeting, chief minister Saini reiterated the government's commitment to the court's orders but expressed sympathy for the villagers. 'The state government fully respects the directions of the Supreme Court. However, we are equally sensitive to the sentiments of the people. Many of these families have lived in Anangpur for generations. We are committed to finding a balanced path that safeguards both our environment and our citizens,' he said. CM Saini added that the matter would be placed before the state Coordination Committee, which will prepare a formal petition to the Supreme Court seeking appropriate relief. 'Our aim is not to displace law-abiding citizens. We will represent their case through legal channels and request the court to consider the historical and humanitarian aspects of the issue,' the chief minister said. Ballabhgarh MLA Mool Chand Sharma underscored the emotional and historical significance of the village. 'Anangpur is centuries old. Residents here have lived through generations. We requested the Chief Minister to ensure their voices are heard in court. His assurance to present their case legally offers hope,' he said. 'Political parties, including the opposition, appear to be anti-environment in their stance on the Anangpur demolition issue,' said environmentalist S.S. Oberoi. 'Instead of supporting the implementation of the Supreme Court's orders for environmental protection, they have united in opposition as deadlines continue to be ignored.'
