Crackdown against illegal roads in Aravallis

The state Forest Ministry has ordered a crackdown on unauthorised roads being constructed inside the Aravallis to curtail violation of the mining and forest Act. Following an order by Forest Minister Rao Narbir Singh, a survey was conducted across the Aravallis in Nuh, Gurugram and Faridabad, and over 50 such roads (including kutcha roads) were discovered.

“Unchecked access to violators is one of the key reasons behind the violations. The forest authorities have been directed to identify roads, be it cemented, kutch, or even a small trail, and destroy them. This will curtail any illegal access and help in curtailing forest crimes like mining or deforestation,” said Singh.

Taking a lead, the Faridabad forest department has destroyed around a dozen roads at Anangpur and Mewla Maharajpur villages of Faridabad. The department over the weekend dug up 10-15 illegal entry points that had been carved out by tractors, trucks and private vehicles to access forest tracts falling under special Sections of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA).

The move comes after the Basai Meo village road case, where the state came under fire after an illegal road constructed by the mining mafia was legalised in connivance with local panchayat and revenue officials. The matter reached the Supreme court. A Central Empowered Committee report confirmed the illegal construction of a 1.5-km stretch of road. In July, the authorities blocked two illegal roads in the village by planting around 7,500 saplings.

"Miners from Rajasthan infiltrate Nuh with the help of locals. They make illegal ways for JCBs to enter forest illegally at night, and then flee. We have destroyed over 20 such access roads," said a forest official at Nuh.

“Blocking access is a good start, but how long will it sustain? The roads return and are even cemented. The Aravallis need continuous monitoring, permanent fencing, patrols, and accountability. The minister should work on the long-promised Aravalli task force,” said Vaishali Rana, Aravalli Bachao movement trustee.