EXPLAINER: Aravalli forest land reclamation drive creates huge uproar
On the Supreme Court’s order, Haryana is trying to reclaim the Aravallis. This has created an uproar among residents of Anangpur village in Faridabad district, who have seen maximum demolitions. The villagers are out in protests claiming that they were part of the Aravallis heritage. The protest has gained political mileage with the state government agreeing to communicate public sentiments to the court.
Q What is Aravallis
reclamation drive?
The Supreme Court, in July 2022, ruled that all land of the Aravallis under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) should be treated as forest, with provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, applicable there, and any illegal construction should be demolished. Despite clear orders of the court, the Haryana Government managed to raze only 30 structures in four villages till 2025.
A ground exercise conducted by the state government in December last year found 6,793 unauthorised structures built on protected land in four villages. The exercise found 5,948 illegal structures in Anangpur village, 339 in Ankhir, 313 in Lakkarpur and 193 structures in Mewla Maharajpur village. Most structures are farmhouses and banquet halls. More than 5,000 notices warning of demolition were served on the property owners across Faridabad district as part of the intensified crackdown on illegal structures in protected forest areas and on the land of the Aravallis.
Q What is the current status
of the reclamation drive?
So far, the state authorities out of 730 forest areas in Faridabad’s Aravallis, which are protected under Section 4 (special orders) of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), at least 85 have been cleared of encroachments. The demolition teams faced resistance at some locations, and two FIRs were lodged against people for damaging earthmovers and injuring officials.
Q Why are residents of Anangpur village resisting the drive?
The residents of Anangpur village, who are among the first to be targeted with demolition drives, claim to be part of the Aravallis heritage. They have demanded withdrawal of demolition orders and compensation for structures razed.
A mahapanchayat was held in this regard on July 13 where villagers warned of more aggressive protests. They are getting support from all political parties, including their own public representatives from the BJP.
Q What does the government say?
The Haryana Government has promised to convey public sentiments to the Supreme Court. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said, “The Haryana Government respects public sentiments and the matter will be presented before the coordination committee, which will in turn submit a formal request to the Supreme Court for consideration.”
Saini made the announcement after a meeting with Union Minister of State Krishan Pal Gurjar, former Minister and Ballabhgarh MLA Mool Chand Sharma, NIT Faridabad MLA Satish Fagna, Badkhal MLA Dhanesh Adlakha and dignitaries of Anangpur village at the PWD Rest House in Gurugram.
Haryana Tribune