Despite SC Status Quo, Constructions Continue In Aravali

NEW DELHI: Despite a Supreme Court order for status quo on the Aravali Hills and Haryana mining matters, a surprise check by the conservator of forests on Sunday revealed that constructions are still on in the prohibited areas. R P Balwan, conservator of forests (south circle), Haryana, said he found that boundary walls were being constructed in Mewla Maharajpur and Ankhir villages (two villages in the catchment area of Badkhal). A report will now be sent to the state government for necessary action. Balwan said that such constructions have been blocking the flow of rainwater nullahs to Badkhal, Surajkund and Damdama. TOI had carried a series of reports about lakes in the Aravali going dry. "Development, construction activities and non-forest use of forest land have damaged the lakes. Mindless mining has complicated the problem. Even after the February 13 SC order, there are violations,'' Balwan said. He added that he would ask DFOs to start contempt of court proceedings. Supreme Court in an order given in May 2008 had specifically said that no forest land was to be used for any "non-forest'' activity. The district administration had received complaints about violation of the SC order after which, Faridabad DFO G Raman says a team was constituted under him to keep vigil. "I am yet to get the report from my team members. We have been taking action against the violators in the past and it would be the same this time. But as of now I have received no report of violations,'' Raman said.

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