The Aravalli region, a critical ecological zone in India, is currently grappling with a surge in illegal construction activities, particularly the unauthorized building of farmhouses. Despite claims by local authorities denying any recent instances of illegal mining or construction, evidence on the ground tells a starkly different story.
Reports indicate a significant rise in construction projects using illegally mined stones from the Aravalli range, which not only violates environmental regulations but also threatens the fragile ecosystem of the area. The Union environment ministry’s Aravalli Notification of 1992 strictly prohibits such activities, highlighting a clear breach of legal mandates aimed at protecting the region’s natural heritage.
Local residents and environmental activists have voiced concerns over the inadequate enforcement efforts and alleged collusion between officials and construction interests. They argue that periodic patrols and minor enforcement actions are insufficient to deter ongoing violations, pointing to a persistent nexus between local authorities and construction syndicates. According to sources familiar with the situation, laborers numbering in the hundreds are employed daily to support these illegal construction ventures. Security personnel deployed in the area have corroborated claims of nighttime construction activities, shielded from regulatory scrutiny.
“Officials are turning a blind eye, allowing the illicit trade in mined stones to flourish under the guise of construction,” remarked a prominent environmentalist based in Gurugram, underscoring widespread frustration over the lack of effective governance. The situation has prompted calls for urgent intervention, with demands for the establishment of an Aravalli Task Force comprising active citizens, environmentalists, and local stakeholders. Such a task force would be instrumental in bolstering monitoring efforts and ensuring stringent enforcement of existing regulations to safeguard the Aravalli range from further degradation.
