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Aravalis Encroachment: New Construction in Protected Forest
22 Jun
Summary
- New construction, including multi-storey buildings, is evident in Anangpur's protected forest belt.
- This activity occurs in an area notified under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA).
- Despite court orders and surveys, fresh development pressures the Aravali ecosystem.
New construction activity has been observed in Anangpur village's protected forest area, a region falling under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA). Site visits revealed newly constructed multi-storey buildings, extensive boundary walls, and ongoing development within this legally protected zone.
This fresh construction comes despite numerous Supreme Court directives and findings by various agencies detailing significant encroachments in the Aravalis. A 2022 court order led to a survey identifying 6,793 illegal structures, predominantly in Anangpur. More recently, a Supreme Court-appointed committee reported at least 5,800 houses built on 168 acres of forest land in Anangpur alone.
Experts emphasize that the continued development, including new boundary walls, further fragments the fragile Aravali ecosystem. This ecosystem is crucial for groundwater recharge in the NCR and serves as a vital habitat corridor for wildlife. Despite legal protections, these forest corridors remain vulnerable to encroachment, impacting ecological balance.
