Farmhouses Being Built In Protected Raisina Hills Land of Gurugram

[Ramesh Agrawal]

Construction of farmhouses has again started in the Raisina hills, which fall under the Aravalis, about a month after the district administration restored the term ‘gair mumkin pahar’ (uncultivable hill) in revenue records and issued demolition notices to the farmhouses already built in that area.

According to Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) cutting  of trees in the area of ‘gair mumkin pahar’ is prohibited. As per Union environment ministry’s notification, ‘gair mumkin pahad’ is protected land and where construction of buildings, roads, electrification and cutting of trees is not permitted.

Despite the issue of show cause notices to owners, the construction of many farmhouses has started in the Raisina hills. To remove the illegal structures, no action has been taken.

Gair mumkin farmhouse category have around 1,500 acres of land in revenue records according to forest department. A significant portion of is in Raisina hills.

According to the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), notices were served to the owners of farmhouses & action will be initiated soon. As per HSPCB Official “Action will be taken in due course,”.

In October 2018, under an NGT order a District Level Committee was set up for the removal of construction and restoration of forest areas.