Dr R.P. Balwan, Retired Conservator of Forests, South Circle Haryana, stated, “In the report we have showcased in detail how licensed mining and stone crushing units across the Haryana Aravallis have been flouting rules and regulations, and how illegal mining continues brazenly in most districts in various ways.””It also states how out of the seven districts where the Aravallis are present in Haryana, in two districts, licensed mining operations have wiped out most of the two-billion-year-old range. Only a few small hillocks stand in the name of the ‘mighty Aravallis’ in Bhiwani district!” he said.He further noted, “The policy decision to allow mining in all the Aravalli hills in Charkhi Dadri district in 2015, other than one hill range which comes under the Aravalli plantation project, has over the last decade resulted in the near annihilation of one of the oldest geological features in the world in this district.”Citing a specific case, Dr Balwan added, “In Rajawas village in Mahendergarh district, where the Aravalli area was designated as ‘Protected Forest’ under the ‘Nicobar Swap’, in a serious case of illegality, 24 per cent of this ‘PF’ land was auctioned for mining in 2023.””This area is extremely rich in biodiversity with native tree species like Khair, Dhok, Rohida, Dhoodi, Khejri, Hingot, Kair, and some endangered tree species like Guggul, Jaal and Salar. It is also a habitat for many endangered and vulnerable wildlife species such as the rare Rusty Spotted Cat, Leopard, Striped Hyena, Indian Small Civet, Bengal Monitor Lizard, Owl, and Eagle,” he said.
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