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• Haryana has launched a fresh survey of built-up areas within land protected under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) in the Aravali region.
• The exercise will record only existing structures and is intended to prevent new construction claims from being added during the process.
• The survey is expected to help authorities identify legitimate settlements, improve land records, and support environmental protection efforts.
• The move comes amid continued action against illegal construction and encroachments in ecologically sensitive Aravali zones.
• Findings from the survey could influence future land-use planning, conservation measures, and regulatory decisions across the region.
The Haryana government has initiated a fresh survey of built-up areas located on land protected under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) across the Aravali region, as part of efforts to preserve environmentally sensitive land while ensuring greater clarity on existing settlements. The exercise is expected to create a verified record of structures already standing in protected areas and prevent any new claims from being introduced after the survey process begins.
Officials associated with the exercise have indicated that only existing built-up areas will be considered during the survey. Any fresh construction or new ownership claims made after the commencement of the exercise will not be included. The approach is aimed at preventing misuse of the process and ensuring that the final records accurately reflect the ground situation.
The survey assumes significance because land falling under PLPA protection has remained at the centre of long-running debates involving environmental conservation, village settlements, land ownership rights, and urban expansion. Several villages located in and around the Aravali belt have sought clarity regarding the status of existing structures, while environmental groups have repeatedly raised concerns about increasing construction activity in protected areas.
Authorities are expected to use the survey findings to distinguish between long-standing settlements and unauthorized developments. The exercise is also likely to help streamline future regulatory actions and reduce disputes related to land use within protected zones.
The Aravali region has witnessed repeated instances of illegal construction over the years despite restrictions imposed under environmental and land preservation laws. In recent months, enforcement agencies have carried out multiple demolition drives against unauthorized farmhouses, boundary walls, roads, commercial structures, and other developments in parts of Gurugram and Faridabad. Several inspections have also highlighted cases involving land alteration, tree felling, and infrastructure development within ecologically sensitive areas.
Environmental experts have consistently stressed the importance of protecting the Aravali range, which serves as a natural barrier against desertification, supports biodiversity, aids groundwater recharge, and contributes to air quality improvement across the National Capital Region. Concerns over shrinking green cover and rising development pressure have prompted stricter monitoring of activities within protected zones.
The latest survey is also linked to broader efforts by the state government and regulatory authorities to improve mapping and identification of protected land. Courts have on several occasions sought greater clarity regarding the extent of protected areas and the status of constructions located within them. A comprehensive and updated record is expected to support future legal proceedings as well as policy decisions concerning land management in the region.
The exercise comes as Haryana continues to witness rapid urbanisation, particularly in districts adjoining Delhi. Expanding residential development, infrastructure projects, and industrial activity have increased pressure on land resources, making accurate identification of protected areas increasingly important for planners and regulators.
Apart from enforcement measures, the state has also announced large-scale ecological restoration initiatives in the Aravali belt. These programmes are aimed at restoring degraded land, improving forest cover, strengthening biodiversity, and enhancing the long-term environmental health of the region.
Officials believe that restricting the survey to existing built-up areas will help establish a credible baseline for future planning and enforcement. The findings are expected to play a key role in shaping decisions related to conservation, land use, development permissions, and settlement management in Haryana's protected Aravali landscape.
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