How Aravallis lost 120 water bodies in two decades

The ongoing survey of the Aravallis for the green wall project has brought to fore many startling issues including the lost aquifers and water bodies of Gurugram, Faridabad and Nuh. Blame it on mining, which was legalised till early 2000s and allegedly practiced illegally now, and concretisation of the hills, which led to loss of aqua network in three districts.

What is the key concern?

A recent survey highlighted legal mining till the early 2000s, followed by rampant illegal mining and unchecked construction, irreversibly damaged the Aravalli’s water network. While mining created water-filled pits, it destroyed original lakes, ponds, aquifers and natural drainage systems. The survey lists at least 120 water bodies, including ponds, lakes and waterfalls, which have dried up over the past two decades. According to a Forest Department affidavit submitted before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the number of natural and man-made water bodies in the Aravallis has fallen from 265 to fewer than 50 in less than 30 years, with nearly 500 acres of forest land lost to development.

Which rivers and water bodies have been impacted?

Major rivers originating in the Aravallis namely Banas, Luni, Sahibi and Sakhi are now severely diminished or virtually “dead” due to disrupted groundwater flow. In Faridabad, Badkhal Lake, Peacock Lake, Surajkund pond and several waterfalls in the Surajkund belt have vanished. In Nuh, described as the worst-hit district, over 20 waterfalls in Firozpur Jhirka, along with waterfalls in Kotla Mubarakpur and Taoru, have stopped flowing. In Gurugram, Damdama Lake in Sohna, three waterfalls in Bhondsi, and natural springs in the Raisina hills are among the affected sites.

Why has mining caused such long-term damage?

Deep mining punctures aquifers, disrupts underground water channels and leads to plummeting of the groundwater levels to as deep as 1,000–2,000 feet in some areas. Construction over the catchment areas and stormwater drains has further altered natural drainage, affecting water availability across the NCR and even parts of Rajasthan.

What are environmentalists demanding?

Local environmentalists are seeking a special revival plan for over 120 aquifers and water bodies that have disappeared across the Aravalli range, particularly in Gurugram, Faridabad and Nuh districts. They warn that the loss of these natural systems has made the region highly vulnerable to water scarcity and flash floods. Environmentalists argue that Gurugram’s flooding is not due to its topography, but the collapse of the Aravalli’s natural water-absorption system.

What is the government doing?

The Gurugram administration and the Gurujal authorities are working on reviving Damdama Lake, which fills during monsoons, but rapidly shrinks due to increased seepage from 80 acres to around 35 acres within a month.