SC rules against unauthorised constructions in Aravali forest

26 Jul 2021 CW Team

The Municipal Corporation informed the Supreme Court that about half of the unauthorised constructions or structures had been removed.

Counsel of the Municipal Corporation informed a bench of Justices, A M Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari, that till now, out of the total 150 acres, 74 acres have been cleared.

Looking at the draft policy of the civic body, a senior advocate, Colin Gonsalves, cited issues with rehabilitation. The bench said that people could give suggestions on the issues to the Municipal Commissioner by Saturday, which will be considered based on feasibility.

By July, the policy should be notified by the authority, and if the petitioners do not find it acceptable, they can challenge it, the bench said.

A detailed list of the structures, including the farmhouses and the hotels, on the forest land, was given in the response, Gonsalves said.

The instruction to remove all the unauthorised structures on the forest land applies to everything, and the corporation has been put into action after its order on June 7.

The civic body asked for three weeks more to clear the structures from the forest land. The bench said that they accept the request and give four weeks further to take the necessary steps to remove the unauthorised constructions.

On June 7, the Supreme Court ordered Faridabad and Haryana Municipal Corporation to remove all encroachments, including 10,000 residential structures in Aravali forest land. It reported a complaint to remove all encroachments from the Aravali forest land within six weeks.

Petitioners affirm that no shelter has been provided to families amid the Covid-19 pandemic and monsoon. The civic body should inform the public in advance before taking any actions to remove the structures. The bench saw the issue and could be brought to the Commissioner to fix the matter after the hearing on 3 August.

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Also read: DTCP razes two illegal colonies in Gurugram

On Friday, the Supreme Court declared that no unauthorised constructions or farmhouses would be allowed on Aravali forest land. It granted four weeks more to Faridabad Municipal Corporation to remove illegal structures in the Aravali Forest near Khori village. The Municipal Corporation informed the Supreme Court that about half of the unauthorised constructions or structures had been removed. Counsel of the Municipal Corporation informed a bench of Justices, A M Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari, that till now, out of the total 150 acres, 74 acres have been cleared. Looking at the draft policy of the civic body, a senior advocate, Colin Gonsalves, cited issues with rehabilitation. The bench said that people could give suggestions on the issues to the Municipal Commissioner by Saturday, which will be considered based on feasibility. By July, the policy should be notified by the authority, and if the petitioners do not find it acceptable, they can challenge it, the bench said. A detailed list of the structures, including the farmhouses and the hotels, on the forest land, was given in the response, Gonsalves said. The instruction to remove all the unauthorised structures on the forest land applies to everything, and the corporation has been put into action after its order on June 7. The civic body asked for three weeks more to clear the structures from the forest land. The bench said that they accept the request and give four weeks further to take the necessary steps to remove the unauthorised constructions. On June 7, the Supreme Court ordered Faridabad and Haryana Municipal Corporation to remove all encroachments, including 10,000 residential structures in Aravali forest land. It reported a complaint to remove all encroachments from the Aravali forest land within six weeks. Petitioners affirm that no shelter has been provided to families amid the Covid-19 pandemic and monsoon. The civic body should inform the public in advance before taking any actions to remove the structures. The bench saw the issue and could be brought to the Commissioner to fix the matter after the hearing on 3 August. Image Source Also read: DTCP razes two illegal colonies in Gurugram