The scenic Aravali forest belt in Haryana’s Faridabad district is witnessing a dramatic shift as bulldozers rolled in this week to enforce a Supreme Court directive aimed at clearing illegal constructions from ecologically sensitive zones. Over a dozen unauthorized buildings have already been demolished, marking the beginning of a 15-day action window mandated by the apex court. This decisive crackdown reflects a significant move by the Haryana government to restore the integrity of protected green zones and enforce environmental laws that had long been undermined.
This demolition drive is not an isolated administrative move but a response to sustained litigation and activism over years. The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment, had ordered the removal of unauthorized structures that were allegedly built in violation of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) and other environmental safeguards. These areas, once covered by natural forest and scrubland, had been gradually overtaken by illegal farmhouses, commercial buildings, and real estate developments, often under the guise of agricultural land conversion.
Local authorities have begun executing the order with police protection and a strong media presence, highlighting the legal, environmental, and political stakes involved. The demolitions, carried out primarily in the Anangpur and Surajkund areas, have sent a strong message to encroachers and developers who had assumed legal ambiguity would shield them from consequences. The forest department, along with the district administration and municipal enforcement teams, has mapped over 500 such structures, with the current focus on the most recent constructions deemed most egregiously non-compliant.
Residents and developers affected by the demolition have expressed distress, some claiming that they had purchased the properties in good faith and were unaware of violations. However, environmental activists argue that the notices had been pending for years, and the real estate boom in these zones thrived on knowingly exploiting regulatory loopholes. Environmental groups such as the Aravalli Bachao campaign have welcomed the move, calling it a long-overdue step toward protecting the fragile ecology of the region. The Aravalis are considered a natural barrier against desertification and play a crucial role in recharging groundwater levels in the NCR.
The Aravali range, among the oldest mountain systems in the world, is rapidly depleting due to illegal mining, deforestation, and encroachments. Experts warn that urban expansion into this green belt threatens not just biodiversity but also air quality and water security in the already-polluted NCR region. The Supreme Court has also noted the importance of the Aravalis in environmental jurisprudence, emphasizing that no development can be permitted at the cost of environmental degradation.
From an administrative standpoint, this demolition drive is a test of the Haryana government’s resolve in enforcing green laws. The Faridabad Municipal Corporation and the state’s forest department are expected to continue the operation in phases, and there may be legal pushbacks or stay applications from affected parties. However, the judiciary’s clarity on the issue offers limited scope for delay or negotiation. Citizens and activists are urging the government to not only remove illegal constructions but also take steps for restoration — including afforestation, soil protection, and eco-tourism initiatives.
In the longer run, experts believe that the Aravali clean-up must be paired with policy reforms that make illegal encroachments unviable. Transparent land records, stricter monitoring of land-use changes, and public participation in green planning are necessary. Educational campaigns and punitive actions will also deter further illegal constructions in protected zones.
This is not just a demolition story — it’s a turning point in Haryana’s environmental governance. With climate pressures mounting and urban growth unchecked, such legal enforcement may become more common, setting a precedent for sustainable development.
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