Tribunal Orders States to Remove Unauthorized Structures
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the governments of Haryana and Rajasthan, directing them to comply with its December 9, 2022 judgment in the Sonya Ghosh vs State of Haryana case. The tribunal has asked both states to submit a detailed compliance report regarding the removal of illegal constructions on protected Aravali land in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh (Haryana), and Alwar (Rajasthan).
The tribunal emphasized the need for a monitoring committee to ensure the execution of its orders. The states have been instructed to submit an affidavit with the compliance report at least one week before the next hearing scheduled for March 26, 2025.
Hearing Triggered by Non-Compliance
The recent directive was issued on March 6, 2025, during a hearing on an execution application filed by amicus curiae Raj Panjwani. Despite clear directives from the NGT, no action or compliance report had been submitted by the states, prompting the tribunal to seek immediate intervention. The case, which has been under scrutiny for over a decade, highlights ongoing violations of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notification dated May 7, 1992, which prohibits construction in designated forest areas.
Repeated NGT Warnings and Government Inaction
In its December 2022 ruling, the NGT had ordered both Haryana and Rajasthan to take remedial actions and conduct quarterly reviews to monitor progress. The tribunal had noted that government departments had submitted action-taken reports detailing the removal of some encroachments. However, the failure to fully comply has led to repeated judicial interventions.
Environmental activists and legal experts have criticized the state authorities’ inaction, stating that their failure to follow court orders is encouraging further illegal activities on protected forest land.
Extent of Illegal Constructions in the Aravalis
A forest department survey identified over 500 illegal farmhouses built on Aravali land in areas such as Gwalpahari, Abheypur, Gairatpur Bas, Sohna, Raisina, and Manesar. A detailed report listing these unauthorized structures, along with their locations, was submitted to the NGT last year.
The Times of India (TOI) has consistently reported on the issue. In 2024, the NGT took suo-motu cognizance of a TOI report on illegal construction at Ansals Aravali Retreat in Raisina and issued notices to authorities. The tribunal had then reiterated that any reconstruction of razed structures would be a direct violation of its previous orders.
NGT’s Latest Directives for State Governments
In response to ongoing violations, the NGT has instructed:
- Haryana and Rajasthan to remove all encroachments on protected Aravali land.
- Formation of a monitoring committee to oversee enforcement.
- Revival of degraded forest areas affected by illegal construction.
- Haryana officials, including the chief secretary, principal chief conservator of forests, and Gurgaon district magistrate, to submit a status report before the next hearing.
Growing Concerns Over Environmental Impact
Environmentalists have raised alarms over the rapid urbanization of Aravali forests, warning that unchecked construction is destroying fragile ecosystems. Activist Vaishali Rana expressed disappointment, stating that government inaction is enabling continued violations and leading to the loss of protected forest cover.
With the next hearing set for March 26, 2025, all eyes are on whether the Haryana and Rajasthan governments will finally take concrete action to comply with the tribunal’s directives and preserve the Aravali ecosystem.
