Students and residents petition forest minister to save Aravallis

GURUGRAM: Over 50 citizens, including students, met minister of state for forests and public works Rao Narbir Singh on Sunday to petition against the state government’s proposal to repeal the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA).

The colonial era law, dating back to the 1900s, accords forest status to 25,000 hectares of Aravalli land in Haryana and prevents construction activity in areas falling within its ambit. Last week, the Haryana government had tabled a draft amendment bill in its Cabinet meeting, which will open up these lands for the real estate sector.

While some reports suggest that the draft amendment bill (a copy of which has been seen by HT) was approved by the Cabinet, multiple MLAs and senior bureaucrats declined to comment on the matter, suggesting that it may be discussed if the Bill comes up for approval in the State Assembly next week.