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Deceptive Land Records Endanger Mangar's Vital Aravali Hills
27 Sep
Summary
- Aravali hills in Mangar are still registered as agricultural land.
- A survey confirmed 493 out of 606 examined parcels were hills.
- A recent land leveling incident highlights ongoing threats to the area.
A decade after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) mandated the settlement of land status in Mangar, a concerning discrepancy persists. Portions of the eco-sensitive Aravali hills are still officially recorded as agricultural land, despite being visibly hilly on the ground. This mismatch threatens the very protection the tribunal aimed to secure for the landscape.
The issue came to light during a recent ground verification, particularly significant as NGT had intervened when private entities sought to reclassify Mangar parcels from 'uncultivable hill' to agricultural land. A subsequent government survey, involving multiple agencies, utilized cadastral maps, satellite imagery, and ground-truthing.
This comprehensive survey confirmed that these parcels are integral parts of the Aravalis, encompassing hills, valleys, and foothills. Of the 606 entries scrutinized, a substantial majority—493—were identified as hills, with 96 as natural gullies and 17 as foothills or valleys.
Despite these findings and the presence of significant vegetation, some hills continue to be erroneously listed as agricultural land. Conservationists warn this loophole could facilitate unauthorized development, citing recent instances of hill cutting and land leveling. Mangar, a critical Aravali stretch including the Mangar Bani sacred grove, faces ongoing risks to its non-forest areas.
Authorities were previously directed by NGT to address unauthorized activities like tree cutting and land breaking in these areas. However, a special intensive revision of revenue records is still needed to accurately reflect the land's true nature and ensure its protection.
