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Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Did sarpanch help build mining road via protected Aravalis? Haryana govt panel to probe
Gurgaon: The Haryana govt on Wednesday set up a high-powered committee to investigate the role of the sarpanch of Basai Meo village in the illegal construction of two roads through protected Aravali forest land near the Rajasthan border, an area that has been under Supreme Court's scanner since a hillock collapsed. The roads, built in Oct 2024, are believed to have been used by miners to transport illegally quarried stones from Nuh's Basai Meo to stone-crushing units in Rajasthan. In Nov 2024, villagers had filed a complaint, accusing the sarpanch of aiding miners by facilitating construction of the road, which also gave them access to Rawa in Haryana where the hillock was taken down with explosive charges last Dec. A separate probe by the Anti-Corruption Bureau is already under way. The newly formed committee includes the divisional commissioner of Gurgaon and the deputy commissioner and subdivisional magistrate of Nuh. It will examine whether the sarpanch violated rules in facilitating or overseeing road construction and is required to submit its report within 45 days. "The roads are illegal and we have already shut them down by constructing a wall so that movement of vehicles stops. We are also planning to carry out a plantation drive in 15 to 20 days to restore the area. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What She Did Mid-Air Left Passengers Speechless medalmerit Learn More Undo We will investigate how these roads were constructed and who was responsible," Nuh deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena told TOI. "We are also planning a series of actions to ensure that no such illegal roads are built in Aravalis. Without consolidation, the roads can't be made. It was the work of mining mafia and some locals, but we will investigate the matter thoroughly. The land comes under sections 4 and 5 of PLPA (Punjab Land Preservation Act, which restricts construction in Aravali forests)," he added. The committee will recommend strict preventive action if wrongdoing is established and is also expected to suggest systemic reforms to bolster the oversight mechanism of gram panchayats in Aravali hills and forested areas. The committee has been asked to review recommendations from the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on compensation or alternative land arrangements, likely arising from the environmental impact or displacement caused by the road. This move comes amid growing concern over encroachments and unregulated construction in the Aravalis, which act as a natural barrier against desertification of Delhi-NCR. After a petition by Basai Meo villagers came up before SC, it directed CEC to inspect the site. In its report, CEC confirmed the violations and recommended action against erring officials. Last month, the chief secretary filed an affidavit that said the state's forest department did not act against violations. But SC disagreed, and in its hearing on May 29, pulled up the chief secretary for "passing the buck" to the forest department. "It appears that (mining) mafia is strong enough to protect not only its members but also the officers of the state govt who acted in collusion with them," Chief Justice of India B R Gavai said. But miners are undeterred. The road that was originally blocked by the forest department months ago was rebuilt. On June 2, officials and blocked it again.
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Nuh launches initiative to curb digital fraud in 60 hotspot villages
Nuh district administration has launched a grassroots initiative titled 'Cyber Warrior Panchayats' in a bid to counter its rising cybercrime profile, targeting 60 villages identified as major hubs of online fraud and digital criminal activity. The initiative comes amid Nuh's growing infamy as a national epicentre for cyber-related offences. Investigative agencies, through multiple interstate crackdowns, have flagged villages in Punhana, Ferozepur Jhirka, and Tauru blocks for hosting sophisticated fraud networks involving cloned SIMs, digital wallets, and mule accounts. 'Cybercrime poses a serious and growing threat, and we must act decisively to protect innocent citizens,' said chief minister Nayab Singh Saini at a Mewat Development Board meeting on Friday. 'These Cyber Warrior Panchayats will serve as our grassroots defence mechanism—empowered villages are our first line of resistance,' he added. District officials said the 60 selected villages have shown persistent trends of cybercrime, especially in bank frauds, online impersonation, and phishing scams. Over the past three years, more than 1,000 FIRs linked to cyber fraud have been registered in the district, officials said. Deputy commissioner (Nuh) Vishram Kumar Meena said, 'This is not just about enforcement but education. We want to build digital resilience within our villages. Our ultimate goal is to convert all panchayats in Nuh into informed, vigilant cyber warriors.' As part of the initiative, panchayat members, schoolteachers, youth volunteers, and local influencers will receive cyber literacy training. They will serve as cyber vigilance champions—conducting door-to-door campaigns, warning against fraud, and reporting suspicious activity, district officials added. The administration will also coordinate with Haryana Police's cyber wing, IT experts, banks, and telecom providers to train locals in spotting and reporting fraud. Schools and colleges will include digital hygiene lessons as part of the curriculum, officials said, adding that implementation will roll out in phases in the coming months.
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
11-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Open burning of waste banned in Aravalli region in Nuh
Nuh district on Saturday banned the open burning of waste in the Aravalli region. Nuh deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, banning all forms of open burning such as solid, liquid, and organic waste within the district's Aravalli zone, which will remain in force until further notice. Local police station heads, the divisional forest officer of Nuh, and the regional officer of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, have been directed to enforce the ban. Any violation of this order will invite punitive action under Section 223 of BNSS, 2023, and provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The administration has ordered that copies of the order should be displayed prominently at the district and sub-divisional offices, police stations, and other public places.
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
To snuff out toxic garbage fires, Nuh bans open waste burning in Aravalli
Nuh: In a major crackdown on rampant environmental violations in the ecologically fragile Aravallis, Nuh deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena on Thursday invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to impose a blanket ban on all forms of open waste burning within Aravalli boundaries across the district. The order follows mounting reports of toxic waste being set ablaze near Khori Khurd village—allegedly by industrial units from Bhiwadi in Rajasthan—causing irreversible harm to local ecosystems and nearby residents. 'The Aravallis are not a dumping ground,' Meena said. 'This is an environmental emergency.' Officials from the forest department, pollution control board and police have been deployed to the site, with instructions to lodge FIRs against violators. A five-member team led by SDM Tauru has been tasked with inspecting affected areas and filing a detailed report. The action follows mounting evidence and public outcry over night-time waste fires that have blanketed the hills with toxic smoke. The fires are believed to be the result of unprocessed legacy waste, including chemically treated industrial scrap, being dumped and burnt to clear land for illegal farmhouses and construction. Advocate Haseen Khan, a resident of Khori village in Tauru who first flagged the issue on social media, said he was under pressure to retract his statements. 'This is a nexus. I have seen trucks from Rajasthan dumping plastic and chemical waste behind the village water body. When I complained, I was asked to name farmers. Why should I? The authorities must investigate. Wildlife is dying, our air is toxic and no one is held accountable,' he said. Meena said two tractor-trolleys were recently seized from panchayat land where scrap dealers had set fire to waste. Forest and revenue officials have been instructed to file FIRs under the Indian Forest Act and Environment (Protection) Act. Senior district officials said over 13 polluting industrial units were shut in the area by the Haryana Pollution Control Board in December 2024 for violating emission norms. However, the illegal operations appear to have resumed. 'The worst part is that many of these offenders are encroaching on government and forest land. It's a direct assault on the Aravallis,' a senior forest official said, asking not to be named. Meena warned that any negligence by government officers will not be tolerated. 'If any departmental official is found complicit or inactive, disciplinary action will follow,' he said, adding that all departments have been directed to conduct continuous patrolling in identified hot spots. With fires being reported in ecologically crucial zones near water bodies, drain and behind dams—areas critical for groundwater recharge—activists warn that the ecological cost of inaction will be enormous. 'These fires are not just illegal; they are suicidal. They're turning the green lungs of NCR into a chemical graveyard,' said Vaishali Rana, a city-based environmentalist. With increasing pressure from environmentalists, Haryana has shut its borders to industrial waste-laden trucks coming from Rajasthan, especially those heading into the Mangar and Bandhwari forest belt. A statewide alert has been issued to block tractor-trolleys and dumpers registered as 'agricultural vehicles' being misused for commercial dumping operations—many of which have allegedly been caught burning toxic waste in the forest. Earlier, last week, authorities identified five Rajasthan-based companies that were clandestinely transporting scrap, plastic, and cardboard for illegal disposal in the Aravallis. Notices are being prepared to hold them accountable, said district officials. Wildlife conservationists welcomed the move, citing that repeated dumping operations had killed ground-nesting birds, destroyed seedling patches and levelled hill slopes for illegal farmhouses.
