Faridabad Sees 6,793 Illegal Structures on 780 Acres of Deemed Forest Land: CEC

The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has reported that approximately 6,793 unauthorised structures, including farmhouses, schools, and government buildings, have been built on 780 acres of deemed forest land in Faridabad, contravening the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

In its August 29 interim report, the CEC stated that the land, spread across Ankhir, Anangpur, Lakkarpur, and Mewla Maharajpur villages, is notified under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900. Classified as forest land under the 1980 Act, it requires central government approval for non-forest use since October 25, 1980.

The CEC noted that illegal structures, such as farmhouses, marriage gardens, and banquet halls, have proliferated. District authorities demolished 241 structures across 88 sites, covering 261.06 acres, following the Supreme Court’s July 21, 2022, orders. However, violations remain widespread, with 5,948 structures on 286 acres in Anangpur, 339 on 250 acres in Ankhir, 313 on 197 acres in Lakkarpur, and 193 on 46 acres in Mewla Maharajpur.

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Demolition of major commercial structures has reduced human activity, leading to improved vegetation and the first recorded sighting of spotted deer, according to the Forest Department. However, demolitions have caused unrest, particularly in Anangpur’s abadi areas, where 5,938 households are located on PLPA-notified land. Villagers fear losing their homes and have resisted demolition efforts.

The CEC recommended demarcating boundaries around legitimate settlements to protect genuine residences while targeting illegal encroachments. It also highlighted violations by government entities, including Haryana Shahri Vikas Pradhikaran, Haryana Tourism, the Police Department, and the Municipal Corporation, for constructing on PLPA-notified land. The committee suggested these cases could seek post-facto approval under the December 29, 2023, guidelines but cautioned against future violations, which could lead to prosecution.

The report noted 92 pending proposals for post-facto approval with the Union Environment Ministry, with one project at Stage I clearance. To expedite decisions, the CEC proposed monthly meetings with the ministry, state government, and applicants.

Due to the Aravalli region’s ecological sensitivity, the CEC mandated that compensatory afforestation occur only within this landscape, rejecting external land offers. To prevent re-encroachment, it urged the immediate removal of electric lines and borewells servicing demolished structures.

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