Proposed Aravallis road put on hold

The National Green Tribunal ( NGT) has directed private construction company to take permission from it before going ahead with clearing a six hectare forested area of the Aravalli Range to build a road linking some farmhouses in Gurgaon district with the national highway 48.

While hearing a plea by environment activist Daniel George who had claimed that the “indiscriminate felling of trees and destruction of rocks” of the Aravalli Range for building the three kmlong road, would cause a “irreversible destruction to the local flora and fauna”, the NGT issued a notice to the firm, Centre, and Haryana government asking them why the project should not be stopped.

A bench comprising judicial members Jawad Rahim and S. P. Wangdi and executive member Nagin Nanda, said the private company, Kaluwala Construction Company, which was carrying out the work on behalf of the Haryana forest department, has to first take permission from the green panel before continuing with the project.

Advocate Jai Dehadrai, appearing for George, said the reason for felling these trees is for the construction of a road to facilitate easy access for some farmhouses located at Bas Pandala and Gairatpur Bas in Gurgaon district of the NH- 48 and claimed that the constructions were being carried out without obtaining prior approval as required under the Forest ( Conservation) Act.

The green panel has listed the matter for further hearing on April 17.

He has sought directions restraining the PWD of Haryana and the private company from continuing with the construction of the 3 km link- road.