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Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Haryana orders probe into village-govt-mining mafia nexus in Nuh
The Haryana government has ordered the State Vigilance Department to probe allegations of criminal collusion between the sarpanch of Basai Meo village, certain government officials, and powerful mining cartels operating in the Aravalli belt of Nuh district. To be sure, the sarpanch was previously suspended for attempting to revive an illegal mining route demolished by the district administration. The department has been given a deadline of 90 days to complete its investigation and submit a report to the state government, officials said. The findings will be shared with both the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) recently filed a case in which seven people, including government officials and village-level leaders, were booked under sections 61 (criminal conspiracy), 329(3) (criminal trespass), 318(2) (cheating), 316(2) (criminal breach of trust), 303 (theft), and 270 (public nuisance) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Provisions of the Punjab Land and Preservation Act (Amendment), the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and Section 15(1) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, have also been invoked. The probe follows recent enforcement action in Basai Meo, where police arrested one person and booked another for attempting to revive an illegal mining route demolished earlier by the district administration. Past CEC reports have led to the suspension of six mining officials and the sarpanch of Basai Meo over similar allegations. Villages like Basai Meo, Chittaura, Ghata Shamshad, and Rawa have been repeatedly identified as hot spots for illegal mining, where criminals use dynamite to blast through the Aravallis, extract stone illegally, and transport it via overloaded trucks. Environmentalists welcomed the move. 'For years, we have seen unchecked destruction in the name of development, often backed by invisible hands in power. This probe must go beyond symbolism and lead to real accountability,' said Vaishali Rana, a Gurugram-based environmentalist.
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
1 held for rebuilding illegal stretch of road in Aravallis
The Nuh police booked two men and arrested one of them on Wednesday, for allegedly attempting to rebuild a road in Basai Meo village in the ecologically sensitive Aravalli hills, police officials said. The 1.5 km-long illegal stretch had earlier been razed on the orders of Nuh deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena, following directions from the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), officials said. The police identified the arrested man as Saikul Khan, a resident of Basai Meo village, in Ferozepur Jhirka. His accomplice, Mohammad Ali, is currently at large, police said. Khan was arrested on Wednesday after forest beat staff on night patrol caught the duo allegedly cutting rocks and refilling the pathway through the Aravalli forests. A complaint was immediately filed by the forest department, triggering legal action. 'These are clear attempts to subvert forest protection and facilitate illegal access for mining. We acted promptly and will not tolerate such violations,' said Vineet Kumar Garg, principal chief conservator of forests, Haryana. The accused have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Charges under Sections 33 and 32 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, have also been invoked on June 2, police said. Khan is being interrogated to know the extent of the network behind the attempt to rebuild the road and to identify any possible handlers, police said. 'We are actively patrolling all vulnerable points and are working closely with panchayats and the forest department to prevent further violations,' said Rajesh Kumar, superintendent of police, Nuh. He added that the local vigilance unit in Gurugram is also investigating the matter. The road in question, had originally been constructed illegally through protected Aravalli forest land in Basai Meo village. Following a Supreme Court petition, the CEC submitted a report confirming the violation, which led to the suspension of the village sarpanch earlier this year. The Haryana chief secretary later, admitted in an affidavit, to the apex court that the forest department had failed to take action, triggering criticism from environmental groups. 'The Aravallis are not just ancient hills—they are the lungs of North India,' said environmental activist Vaishali Rana. 'Every tree felled and every illegal encroachment weakens our ecological future. Roads through these hills, are not only illegal but also fragment a critical eco-sensitive zone.' According to forest officials, the department had blocked the illegal path in January this year to halt mining and encroachment. FIRs were also registered against three revenue officials for facilitating the illegal construction, but follow-up enforcement has been slow. The recent arrest underlines a growing pattern of violations and delayed deterrence in the Aravallis. Despite monitoring by the top court, activists and officials say illegal road construction, tree felling and land encroachments continue to threaten the already degraded forest range, which plays a vital role in groundwater recharge, biodiversity conservation, and climate regulation in the region. A survey of the disputed pathways in Basai Meo village has begun under the supervision of a senior vigilance officer, following directives from the Supreme Court. The exercise will demarcate the Aravalli terrain and Panchayat land on both sides of these routes. The paths cut through the Aravalli terrain and were allegedly built to enable illegal mining operations.
Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mohali: SC-appointed panel probes green violations in Mohali villages
Acting on complaints of violations of forest and wildlife protection laws in villages such as Karoran, Siswan, and Masol in Mohali district, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court of India, conducted a site visit on Monday. The committee was accompanied by Dharam Sharma, principal chief conservator of forests, Punjab, and Divya P, sub-divisional magistrate of Kharar. The inspection included a visit to Bans Bagh (Bamboo Farm) in Siswan and Forest Hill Resort in Karoran village. The complainants were also present during the visit and shared their concerns directly with the committee, which asked them to appear for a formal hearing. Following this, the CEC is expected to conduct a comprehensive site inspection to assess the extent of damage to forest land, wildlife and the local environment. It will also evaluate the effectiveness of timely interventions by government departments concerned. Based on its findings, a report will be submitted to the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change. As per a press statement issued by Forest Hill Resort, the management submitted all relevant approvals, and orders from the Punjab and Haryana high court and the Supreme Court that support their operations. The villages in question fall under the jurisdiction of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, and are protected by the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, as well as Supreme Court orders. Even during the delisting process for certain areas, the apex court had explicitly prohibited any commercial activity without prior approval from the Government of India. Despite these restrictions, large-scale violations—particularly illegal hill-cutting—have allegedly persisted for years, resulting in the degradation of ecologically sensitive and biodiversity-rich regions of the Shivalik Hills. Local residents and environmental activists have accused the forest department, district administration, GMADA and panchayati raj institutions of negligence and failure to curb rampant encroachments. The Central Empowered Committee, established by the Supreme Court in 2002 and reconstituted in 2008, functions as an advisory and monitoring body in cases related to forest and wildlife conservation. It assists in identifying non-compliance with environmental laws and court directives, and recommends appropriate enforcement actions to the environment ministry.
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Central Empowered Committee to inspect Mohali villages over forest, wildlife violations
Acting on a complaint regarding violation of forest and wildlife laws in villages, such as Karoran, Nada, Masol, and adjoining areas in Mohali district, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court, is scheduled to visit the region on Monday at 9 am. The CEC will assess the extent of damage caused to forest land, wildlife and the local environment. It will also evaluate the timely action taken by government departments, and based on its findings, will recommend appropriate measures. The said villages under scrutiny fall within areas governed by the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900. These areas are also protected under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and the Supreme Court's orders. Even during the process of delisting certain areas from protected status, the court had explicitly banned any commercial activity without prior approval from the Government of India. Despite these restrictions, large-scale violations—particularly illegal hill-cutting—have allegedly continued unabated for several years. These activities have led to the degradation of ecologically sensitive and biodiversity-rich areas in the Shivalik Hills. Environmentalists and local residents have accused the forest department, district administration and urban agencies like Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), along with panchayati raj institutions, of failing to prevent these encroachments, raising concerns over the alleged influence of the land mafia in the region. The Shivalik forests are known for their ecological significance, and are home to many endangered plant and animal species, several of which are listed as threatened under the (International Union for Conservation of Nature) IUCN Red List. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was constituted by the Supreme Court of India in 2002 (and reconstituted in 2008) to assist in matters related to forest, wildlife conservation and flag cases of official non-compliance with its orders related to conservation. It reports to the Union environment ministry. The committee came into existence after a landmark Supreme Court judgment, dated December 12, 1996, in a 1995 case. The apex court ruled that the term 'forest' should be interpreted in its dictionary sense, regardless of land ownership. This means any land that is forest in character on the ground must be treated as such and cannot be used for non-forest activities without prior approval from the Government of India, in accordance with the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and other applicable laws.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Last opportunity': SC warns govt on Aravalli definition
The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed serious concern over continuing illegal mining in the Aravalli hills and gave the Centre a final two-month deadline to arrive at a common definition of the ecologically crucial mountain ranges. A bench headed by chief justice Bhushan R Gavai told a Centre-led committee that it had already missed its original deadline of July 2024 and gave it a 'last opportunity' to complete the task, with no further extensions. The matter has been listed for hearing in July. 'The order is of May 9, 2024. Meanwhile, the states must tell us what action you are taking to ensure illegal mining does not take place,' said the bench, which also comprised justice AG Masih. Senior advocate K Parmeshwar, assisting the court as amicus curiae, painted a grim picture of the situation. 'There is rampant illegal mining going on in Aravalli hills. The regulatory mechanism is messed up. If the states had any interest to protect the Aravalli hills, they should have come out with the report by now.' The committee, comprising the Union environment ministry secretary, forest department secretaries from Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat, and representatives of the Forest Survey of India, Geological Survey of India and Central Empowered Committee, has sought extensions three times since the original two-month deadline laid down through the May 9, 2024 order. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, said the committee had held joint meetings and the report was in its 'last leg of preparations.' The need for a uniform definition arose after the Central Empowered Committee submitted a report showing how the Aravalli hills are either undefined or defined in ways that facilitate illegal mining. A glaring example is Rajasthan's definition that includes only hills above 100 metres as part of the Aravallis, enabling mining activities between 0-99 metres. The court had earlier criticised this '100-metre rule' as very problematic, remarking: 'If the area does not have the support of slopes, the land will become barren. What is the purpose of having some structure as Aravalli with other slopes all ruined.' A 2018 Forest Survey of India report revealed that 31 hillocks had disappeared due to rampant illegal mining, while over 3,000 illegal mining sites were discovered across the Aravallis in Rajasthan and Haryana. The court also addressed applications from miners seeking lease renewals. Senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing marble producers in Rajasthan, said their leases had expired in March and the state had refused renewals citing the May 9 order. 'We are in favour of the report being produced at the earliest. But till then, our livelihoods have stopped,' Singh said. The court clarified that restrictions applied only to new licences, not renewals, and directed states to respond to the miners' applications. Parmeshwar suggested that once the definition is finalised, individual mining applications should consider the carrying capacity of the entire Aravalli range for the next 50-100 years. He also recommended enforcing a ban across the entire range and ensuring no new mining leases are granted. The Aravalli range serves as a crucial climate barrier, blocking eastward winds from the Thar desert and preventing Delhi from experiencing dry, arid conditions. The Supreme Court had banned mining activities across the entire Aravalli region in Haryana and Rajasthan in 2002 after Central Empowered Committee reports indicated that illegal mining had consumed 25% of the range. The court has previously indicated that a balance must be struck between sustainable development and environmental protection.
