Tribune News Service

Faridabad, January 24
Despite an overall lull in the real estate sector, illegal construction and encroachment in certain parts of the district appear to be going on in “full swing”. These include the hilly terrain of the Aravallis.

However, the authorities have removed certain encroachments from the Surajkund area in the past.

“Several construction activities have been noticed in the area, including the Surajkund road. As the non-forest area comes under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF), it has removed certain encroachments in the past,” said a source in the civic body.

Admitting that illegal construction poses a threat to the green cover of the Aravallis, an official said illegal construction or mining could not be done without the involvement of influential persons.

“Panchayat land of several villages, including Ankhir, Lakadpur, Badkhal, Anangpur and Mewla Maharajpur, located under the jurisdiction of the MCF has been used for construction activities on a large scale,” said the official.

District Forest Officer Bhup Singh Yadav said around a dozen FIRs had been lodged at various police stations in the region regarding anti-forest activities.

A memorandum seeking tough action against the violators was submitted to the District Forest Officer by the Vanya Jivan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti here yesterday.