Aravalli forest reforestation under scrutiny by ABCM trustees, alleging conflict of interest and environmental violations

The members of Aravallis Bachchao Citizens Movements, a citizen-led initiative focused on protecting the Aravali mountain range from environmental degradation, on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) raised objections to flattening of a patch of Aravali forest in Sector 54 here for reforestation as part of the “Matri Van” project inaugurated by Chief Minister Nayab Saini on August 2. The group members alleged that the action was in violation of several laws protecting forests and environment and an instance of “wrong prioritisation”.

Raising up the matter, ABCM trustees Vaishali Rana and Colonel (retd.) S.S. Oberoi, in a letter to the District Forest Officer, Gurugram, demanded to know as to why a patch with a thick green canopy was being used for reforestation under the project instead of focussing on degraded and barren forest patches in need for urgent restoration. Calling it an instance of “wrong prioritisation”, the duo wrote: “The reason seems obvious— to provide recreational facilities to the adjoining ultra-luxury apartments being constructed by private builders.”

Attaching videos showing a couple of backhoe loader machines clearing the forest area, the two said it was “total destruction of the habitat and the nests” with numerous birds sitting directly in front of the machine, not even flying away. It was also a case of “conflict of interest” with the forest department hiring private builders, accused of gulping the forest area – for reforestation, said the letter.

Seeking immediate halt to all deforestation activity and independent ecological assessment of the patch before any further intervention, the duo said the action was in violation of different provisions of Indian Forest Act, Forest (Conservation) Act, Wildlife (Protection) Act and the Constitution of India.

She also demanded investigation into the role of Forest Department officers for awarding the work to developers with a history of environmental violations and redirection of the “Matri Van” project’s plantation activities to truly degraded Aravali patches and not thriving forest areas.

Repeated calls and text messages to Divisional Forest Officer, Gurugram, did not elicit any response.

Published – August 13, 2025 07:07 am IST

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