In a first, board set up to crack down on mining in Aravallis

Briefing the officers, the DC said the board has been constituted to protect the Aravallis, deal with complaints of illegal mining and their impact on the environment, ensure coordination between administrative agencies, formulate policies for the prevention of mining as well as for conservation and management of the Aravalli region, and plan and implement programmes for integrated environmental management and sustainable development of the range. The board will utilise the funds of the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) for the projects.

DC Yadav told The Indian Express that this is the first time a board has been constituted to keep a check on mining. “We had deployed six teams last month to inspect various areas in Gurgaon as well as parking spaces in Pachgaon and Rajeev Chowk to zero in on vehicles engaged in the activities. However, this board will help spread awareness regarding Aravallis and encourage locals to visit the range. Towards this end, we have planned a nature trail which will be implemented on a pilot basis initially,” he said. The DC added that they have sought a list of eminent environmentalists to seek assistance from and will be working alongside experts. “We will incorporate suggestions of locals, too,” he added.

In the meeting, City Magistrate Darshan Yadav suggested coming up with walking and cycle tracks at some identified locations in the Aravallis. Facilities like toilets and booths for drinking water should also be included along with boundary walls with a line of aromatic plants on both sides of the track, he said.

Environmentalist Vaishali Rana said the administration should ensure the participation of citizens in countering mining activities.

“There were 52 checkposts at various entry points since 2016 and we have found out through an RTI that only six remain. More important than committee formation is following up on existing framework to curb these issues,” she said, adding that two drones were also deployed in 2020, the status of which is unknown. She added that the infrastructure inside the forest, especially toilets, will pose a sewage problem.