NGT Seeks Haryana’s Response Over Illegal Development in Raisina Hills

16 sep 2025

Nature vs. Urban Expansion

The battle between rapid urban expansion and ecological preservation has once again landed in the spotlight. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Haryana government to respond within four weeks to allegations of illegal construction and tree-felling in the ecologically sensitive Raisina Hills area of Gurgaon. This directive underscores growing concerns over rampant urbanization in the Aravali range, one of North India’s oldest mountain systems and a critical ecological buffer for the National Capital Region (NCR).

The order comes even as a prior interim stay—issued in May 2025—remains in force, prohibiting further construction or deforestation in the area.

The Case at Hand

The petition highlights unauthorized activities such as:

Tree-felling in violation of conservation norms.
Plotting and road construction within restricted zones.
Encroachment and real estate development, including allegations linked to projects such as Ansals Aravali Retreat.

These actions allegedly breach the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900 (PLPA) and subsequent notifications, including the 1992 order (amended in 1999), which safeguard ecologically sensitive lands.

NGT’s Directions

The Tribunal, while maintaining its interim stay, has ordered the Haryana Chief Secretary to:

File a detailed affidavit within four weeks.
Explain measures taken to curb violations.
Provide an update on enforcement of past directives.

This reflects the judiciary’s increasing impatience with repeated violations despite earlier rulings.

Ecological Significance of Raisina Hills

Raisina Hills is part of the Aravali range, which stretches across Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi. These hills:

Act as a green lung for NCR, absorbing pollutants.
Prevent desertification by stopping the spread of the Thar Desert.
Serve as a water recharge zone for groundwater aquifers.
Provide habitat for leopards, hyenas, peacocks, and numerous bird species.

Unregulated construction in such regions risks irreversible ecological damage, including:

Loss of biodiversity.
Soil erosion and flooding.
Reduced groundwater recharge.
Heat island effects worsening climate change impacts in Gurgaon and Delhi.

Environmentalists Raise the Alarm

Local activists and environmentalists have expressed deep concern.

Anita Dhingra, environmental campaigner:

“Despite NGT’s orders, bulldozers and construction crews continue to operate under the radar. Raisina Hills is fragile, and if we lose this stretch, Gurgaon’s water security and air quality will be compromised.”

Ecologist Dr. Rakesh Yadav:

“Encroachments in Aravalis are not isolated incidents. They reflect systemic governance failures. Courts intervene, but enforcement remains weak.”

Haryana’s Dilemma: Development vs. Conservation

Haryana has long struggled with balancing urban growth and ecological protection. Gurgaon, in particular, has seen a real estate boom, often pushing into green zones. Developers argue that such projects bring investment, housing, and jobs. Critics counter that the environmental costs are far too high.

The Bandhwari landfill crisis and recurring air quality emergencies in Delhi-NCR have already demonstrated the fallout of ignoring ecological limits.

Judicial Oversight and Precedents

The NGT and the Supreme Court have repeatedly intervened in Aravali conservation cases. Notable precedents include:

2018 SC Order: Directed demolition of 425 illegal constructions in Aravali forest areas.
2021 NGT Ruling: Prohibited mining and fresh construction within notified Aravali zones.
2025 Interim Stay (May): Halted all tree-felling and construction in Raisina Hills.

The Raisina Hills case continues this judicial trend, reinforcing that unchecked development in ecologically sensitive zones will not go unchallenged.

Larger Context: NCR’s Environmental Fragility

Delhi-NCR is already grappling with severe ecological stress:

Air Pollution: Among the highest in the world.
Groundwater Crisis: Aquifers shrinking alarmingly, with Gurgaon at risk of becoming “Day Zero” in the coming decade.
Loss of Forest Cover: Aravalis shrinking due to encroachment.

If Raisina Hills is further degraded, NCR’s environmental vulnerabilities will deepen, affecting millions of residents.

Possible Outcomes of the NGT’s Order

Strict Enforcement: Haryana government cracks down, halts illegal projects, and initiates restoration.
Delays and Litigation: Developers challenge orders, leading to prolonged legal battles.
Partial Compliance: Some activities halted, others continue discreetly.

Experts believe outcome (1) is most desirable but also the hardest to achieve given vested interests.

Voices from the Ground

Resident of Raisina village:

“We have seen trees disappearing and trucks carrying soil at night. Locals fear water scarcity will worsen if hills are destroyed.”

Developer’s Perspective (anonymous):

“The demand for luxury homes near Aravalis is huge. We follow guidelines, but the government must clarify what is legal and what isn’t.”

This tension captures the crux of India’s urban-environmental conflict.

Conclusion: A Test Case for India’s Urban Ecology

The NGT’s intervention in Raisina Hills is not just about one patch of land in Gurgaon—it is a litmus test for environmental governance in India. How Haryana responds will signal whether economic growth will continue to override ecological concerns, or whether a sustainable balance can finally be struck.

If enforced strictly, this case could protect not only Raisina Hills but also set a precedent for safeguarding other vulnerable ecological zones across the country. If ignored, it may accelerate Gurgaon’s transformation into a concrete jungle devoid of natural resilience.

#Environment #NGT #Gurgaon #Aravali #IllegalConstruction #GreenLaw #Sustainability #UrbanGrowth