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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently directed the Haryana government to halt all illegal mining activities in a 119.55-acre protected forest area in Gurugram's Rajawas village until further notice. This directive follows a report highlighting the auctioning of protected Aravali land for mining purposes. The NGT has mandated state authorities and involved parties, including M/s Landsworthy Mining & Infra LLP, to submit their responses within four weeks. Residents have raised concerns over the environmental implications and are advocating for the area's designation as a wildlife reserve.
In a decisive move to protect the Aravalis, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Haryana government to cease all illegal mining operations in a 119.55-acre forested region of Gurugram's Rajawas village. This area, officially recognized as forest land under the Nicobar Swap on June 20, 2023, encompasses specific plots identified by khasra numbers 91, 96, 97, 98, 99, 102, and 103. Advertisement
The tribunal's order, issued by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava along with judicial members Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, and expert member Dr. Afroz Ahmad, emphasizes the gravity of unauthorized mining activities in protected zones. It mandates that no mining should occur in the specified area until the next hearing.
This intervention was prompted by a report from The Times of India, which revealed that on the same day the state government designated 506 acres in Rajawas as protected under the Forest (Conservation) Act, the mining department auctioned a quarter of this land. The auctioning led to significant opposition from residents, who are now advocating for the area's recognition as a wildlife reserve.
In response to the situation, the NGT has directed several authorities including the Inspector General of Forests, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Haryana; the District Magistrate of Mahendergarh; the Member Secretary of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Haryana; the Secretary of the Haryana Mining Department; and the project proponent M/s Landsworthy Mining & Infra LLP to file their responses within four weeks.
Previously, in October 2024, the NGT had issued notices to various environmental and governmental bodies, seeking their input on the matter. These entities were instructed to submit their replies at least a week before the scheduled hearing on January 28.
The active involvement of local communities in advocating for the preservation of the Aravalis highlights the growing public awareness and commitment to environmental stewardship. As the situation unfolds, it remains imperative for authorities to balance economic interests with ecological sustainability, ensuring that the rich biodiversity of regions like Rajawas is safeguarded for future generations.
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