Forests

Lease grant of protected Aravalli land continues unabated despite NGT order

Lands are being leased in Rajawas area of Haryana's Mahendragarh district
Lease grant of protected Aravalli land continues unabated despite NGT order
The notices have been sent to authorities that include Union Ministry of Environment and the Haryana government. Photographs: Vikas Choudhary/CSE
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Despite notices issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in October 2024 to various authorities regarding the auction of protected Aravali land for mining in Mahendergarh's Rajawas, the official process to lease the land has not been halted.

Lease grant of protected Aravalli land continues unabated despite NGT order
The state's Director General of Mines recently instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Mahendragarh to secure consent from the Rajawas village gram panchayat via a formal resolution for mining operations in the area. Photographs: Vikas Choudhary/CSE

The land, covering 119.55 acres and identified by khasra numbers 91, 96, 97, 98, 99, 102, and 103, was classified as forest land on June 20, 2023.

According to a letter from the DG (Mining), meetings addressing mining activities in Rajawas were held under the leadership of the Additional Chief Secretary (Environment, Forest, and Wildlife Department) on July 26 and August 28, 2024.

Lease grant of protected Aravalli land continues unabated despite NGT order
During the August 28 meeting, it was decided that the gram panchayat’s consent through a resolution is necessary to move forward with the mining lease Photographs: Vikas Choudhary/CSE
Aravalli Range
Aravali
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