Gurgaon: Rows of dwellings, workshops, dirt tracks, cattle enclosures and a large mound of construction and demolition (C&D) waste lie in an area adjacent to Aravali Biodiversity Park.Almost seven years after a breach in Aravali land behind DLF-3 was first flagged, following which the civic authorities awarded a Rs 8.1 lakh contract to build a boundary wall, the land remains accessible.While the work was awarded in Nov 2021 with a two-month completion period, residents said “the wall was never constructed effectively”. “Only a low barrier was put up, through which people and vehicles can continue to pass,” Sumit, a DLF-3 resident, told TOI. A visit to the area found unauthorised occupation, construction, vehicle movement, cattle keeping and large-scale C&D waste dumping continuing at the site.Fresh aerial images also show several larger sheds and workshop-like structures, autorickshaws and other vehicles, with dirt tracks running through the area. Revenue records describe the relevant land as gair mumkin pahar (uncultivable hill or mountainous wasteland). The area has also figured in proceedings before National Green Tribunal (NGT) over alleged non-forest activity. The tribunal, in 2022, sought an action taken report from the forest department and MCG.Residents alleged that the encroachment now extends across 12–15 acres, while around 6–7 acres of forest have been cleared. “Natural creeks have been filled and that a C&D waste mound now covers around four acres,” said resident Sunny. Another resident, Rohan, said labourers and vehicles continued to move through the area despite repeated complaints.“From morning 7 to 8 the labourers start moving out of the area and in the evening 6 to 9 they again start coming back. They use buses, tractors and autos, while C&D dumping happens 24×7. The area has become an illegal slum. We have written several letters to MCG but nothing has moved in the past one decade,” he said.MCG has been asked to clarify whether the Rs 8.1 lakh boundary wall was completed, whether any payment was made to the contractor, the present status of the MCG land and what action has been taken against the unauthorised occupation, construction, vehicle movement, cattle keeping and C&D waste dumping at the site. “The matter was not in my knowledge. I’ll ensure 100% compliance in the matter,” MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said.The issue was first formally flagged in Oct 2019 after residents of V-10 complained that the boundary wall at the end of the colony road had been demolished, allowing vehicles, tractors, trolleys and cattle to enter the area. After inspecting the site, the district town planner said the surrounding land belonged to MCG and that V-10 street was meant to remain a dead end. Since there was no revenue road connecting to it, the department said the street could not be used as a thoroughfare. The road now has doubled from 1.5km to 3km.The town planner asked MCG to protect the land by constructing a boundary wall or taking other measures to prevent access. In Dec 2019, MCG also recorded complaints that heavy vehicles carrying waste and debris were passing through the area and dumping it on MCG land. The civic body cited safety, security and environmental concerns and directed that effective measures be taken to prevent trespassing.MCG subsequently floated a tender in 2020 for construction of the boundary wall at V-10 Road in Biodiversity Park, DLF Phase III, under Ward 34. The estimated cost was Rs 8,10,438. The work order said the construction would be monitored by MCG and a citizen supervisory committee.The documents establish that the work was tendered and awarded, but do not establish that the wall was completed or that the contractor was paid. MCG’s current position on the status of the work is awaited.The V-10/Nathupur area was subsequently examined by a joint committee of the forest department and MCG in proceedings before NGT. The committee recorded that local residents were using V-10 Street as a thoroughfare to reach their land. It also recorded that a low-height barrier had been installed to control the movement of large vehicles carrying C&D waste.NGT proceedings arose from allegations of non-forest activity, including construction and tree cutting, on land described in revenue records as gair mumkin pahar. In its 2022 order, the tribunal recorded that the relevant Nathupur land was described as gair mumkin pahar and that applicants had alleged construction and other non-forest activity in the Aravali area.Despite the earlier complaints, official inspections, tendering of the boundary wall and NGT proceedings, the latest aerial images show continued access and substantial activity around the site.
