Thirteen high-end cafés and rustic restaurants in the Aravalli's leopard trail here will soon be demolished. These  hotspots of Delhi-NCR, which were issued notices in April, managed to escape action owing to twin elections this year and patronage of local leaders.

With the new government in saddle and emphasis on the Aravalli's revival, these cafes in the leopard trail area are now slated to go. The one-kilometre stretch in Gairatpur Bas village is known as the leopard trail because of the frequent leopard sightings in the area due to its contiguity to the Aravallis. The area has over the last few years emerged as one of the most popular eating and amusement destinations in Delhi-NCR. Hundreds of people drive down for off roading, bike rides and café hopping.

No CLU permission on agri land

The cafes, restaurants and amusement destinations have been illegally built on agricultural land in the one-kilometre stretch of Gairatpur Bas village, Gurugram

The land has been leased for a period of eight to 10 years at a rent of ₹80,000 to ₹1 lakh per month in complete violation of urban development rules. "These cafés and restaurants do not have CLU  permission," said RS Bhath, Nodal Officer Enforcement, Gurugram

Many illegal leopard safaris are too being allegedly conducted at night, putting the leopard population in the area in danger. The cafes, restaurants and amusement destinations have been built on agricultural land that has been leased for a period of eight to 10 years from land owners at a rent of ₹80,000 to ₹1 lakh per month in complete violation of urban development rules.

“Around 12 cafés have been found to be illegal and operating without any permission in the area. These cafés and restaurants do not have CLU (change of land use) permission. Even swimming pools have been made operational without any consent from the competent authority. We have already issued notices to the owners of these establishments, but haven't received any response. We will now initiate penal action,” said RS Bhath, Nodal Officer Enforcement, Gurugram.

Around 42 villages in vicinity had moved to the state ministry highlighting nuisance and seeking government’s intervention. “People come on sports bikes and big cars. They speed around and hit our cattle and even children at times. There are brawls, illegal races, loud music and public drinking. We cannot step out of our houses. Now after cafes, we even have long row of hawkers. All this is illegal and needs to stop,” reads a letter shot by villagers to Environment Minister Rao Narbir. The villages have been digging up and blocking access roads to these establishments and there is constant tussle going on between two parties.