The National Green Tribunal has called for a response from various authorities, including the Ministry of Environment, regarding the alleged auctioning of part of the protected Aravalli forest in Haryana.
This action comes as the tribunal took suo-motu cognizance of a newspaper report that highlighted serious concerns about the status of the forest.
The issue arose during a hearing where the NGT, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, noted a report indicating that, on July 20, 2023, the Haryana Forest Department declared 506 acres of the Aravalli tract in Rajawas village as protected forest.
Alarmingly, on the same day, the state’s mining department conducted an e-auction for 119.5 acres of this newly protected land, subsequently awarding a 10-year lease to a company for quarrying stones.
The bench expressed concern over what it termed a “significant lapse in communication and coordination” between the forestry and mining departments. The NGT emphasized that mining in this ecologically sensitive area could harm the environment, disrupt local livelihoods, and negatively impact groundwater recharge.
In light of the issues raised, the NGT pointed out that the article brought to light serious violations of the Forest Conservation Act and the Environment Protection Act. The tribunal has since impleaded several authorities as respondents, including the Inspector General of Forests, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in Haryana.
Additionally, members of the Central Pollution Control Board and the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, along with the District Magistrate of Mahendragarh, have also been included in the proceedings.
The NGT has directed these authorities to file their responses in the form of affidavits at least one week before the next hearing, scheduled for January 28. This move underscores the tribunal’s commitment to ensuring that environmental laws are upheld and that the integrity of protected areas is maintained.
The situation raises pressing questions about how protected lands are managed and the mechanisms in place to prevent such conflicts between different governmental departments. As the case unfolds, it is crucial for authorities to clarify their roles and responsibilities to safeguard these ecologically sensitive regions effectively.
The tribunal’s proactive approach aims to hold accountable those responsible for potential violations and to protect the environment for future generations.
