Home / Environment / Aravalis Under Siege: New Road Slices Through Protected Hills
Aravalis Under Siege: New Road Slices Through Protected Hills
15 Jan
Summary
- A new 30-meter wide road was carved into protected Raisina hills.
- Over 100 trees were felled for the road construction in the Aravalis.
- Fresh boundary walls and construction continue despite demolition drives.
In Gurgaon, a new 30-meter wide road has been illegally carved into the protected Raisina hills, a part of the Aravalis. This act involved felling more than 100 trees and excavating the hill slope, altering the landscape permanently. The road appears to connect to existing routes, facilitating deeper access into the ridge and exacerbating concerns over continued encroachment despite past demolition efforts.
Visible evidence includes stripped vegetation, exposed tree roots, and fresh boundary walls being erected. Construction activity persists, with building structures and materials found near farmhouse plots. Environmentalists highlight that such large-scale tree felling and road cutting cause irreversible damage to the ridge, and enforcement remains a significant challenge.
This situation mirrors past issues, including illegal construction that prompted National Green Tribunal (NGT) intervention in 2024. The NGT had previously directed Haryana and Rajasthan governments to monitor and clear encroachments from Aravali land in several districts. Despite demolition drives in Raisina, the recent road cutting and vegetation clearance suggest weak compliance with environmental regulations.
