Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 10: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Haryana Government to suspend all mining and stone crushing activities in the ecologically sensitive Aravalli region of Mahendergarh district until August 7. The tribunal has also sought clarification from the petitioners on how 25 percent of designated protected forest land came to be auctioned for mining operations.
A bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava issued the directive while hearing a plea filed by residents of Rajawas village, who alleged that the state government had auctioned around 126 acres out of 506.33 acres of protected forest land to stone crushing units, thereby threatening the region's fragile ecosystem.
The petitioners raised concerns about the adverse impact of such activities on the environment, especially on the area’s biodiversity, groundwater levels, and agriculture. “The land has been given to stone crusher units and has turned into a hub of illegal mining,” said Satyanarayan, nambardar of Rajawas village. “Despite raising the issue several times, no action was taken, forcing us to approach the NGT.”
The land in question was declared protected forest under the Forest (Conservation) Act on June 20, 2023, as part of a compensatory afforestation plan linked to the diversion of forest land for development projects in the Great Nicobar Island. Ironically, on the very same day, the Haryana Mining Department auctioned a quarter of the same land, awarding a 10-year lease to a private company on August 4. The firm was allowed to mine up to 1.4 million tonnes annually and operate three stone crushers.
Environmental activists expressed dismay over what they termed as a “breach of public trust.” Neelam Ahluwalia, founder-member of People for Aravallis, a citizens’ collective for the conservation of the Aravallis, said, “Not just Haryana but the Union Government must also be held accountable. This land was meant for compensatory afforestation to offset the loss of dense evergreen forests in the Nicobar Islands. But the swap plan is being sabotaged.”
The NGT has now directed the Haryana Government to ensure strict compliance with its order and prevent any mining or related activity until the next hearing. The petitioners have been asked to submit a detailed explanation within four weeks regarding the auctioning of the protected forest land.