GURUGRAM: Taking advantage of the lockdown period, encroachers are expanding illegally-built structures in the Aravalis near Ghata.The premises and boundary wall of an illegal gaushala in this area have been extended, while large amounts of construction and demolition (C&D) waste are also being dumped in the forest area, in violation of the NCR Planning Board’s Natural Conservation Zone guidelines.
MCG officials said they have already issued a notice to the gaushala.
According to the board’s Regional Plan 2021, no non-forest activity can be carried out in the area.
“I have been writing to civic bodies to inform them that truckloads of C&D waste have been dumped illegally in the Aravalis, at Ghata with the intention of encroaching land owned by the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) categorised as ‘gair mumkin pahar’ (uncultivable hill).
The gaushala area has more than doubled in the last year, with several trees cut down.
They are also constructing a boundary wall, which again is not allowed,” said Vaishali Rana Chandra, an environmental activist.
“This is hampering the entire ecosystem.
I have shared several videos too where wild animals and peacocks can be seen feeding on garbage, as well as trucks unloading civic and C&D waste in the area,” she added.
C&D waste dumping is in violation of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, as well as the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the C&D Waste Management Rules, 2016.
“The reduced tree cover and destruction of habitat in this area in the past few years, poses a threat to the habitat of wildlife present there and is a clear violation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972,” added Col SS Oberoi (retd), another activist.
Meanwhile, MCG officials said they are already aware of the issue and are taking ‘necessary steps’.
“I have already issued a notice to the gaushala and have directed them not to carry out any illegal construction in the area.
Our team conducted inspections of the area recently and we are taking all required action to keep the Aravalis free from encroachers,” MCG joint commissioner Hariom Attri said.
An illegal borewell has also come up in the area in violation of the norms of the Central Ground Water Authority.
“A borewell was drilled last month in the area.
In all probability, there are more illegal borewells.
It is baffling how they are able to carry out so many illegal activities without the knowledge of civic bodies,” said Vivek Kamboj, an environmental activist.