Aravali Encroachments in Haryana Remain Stuck in Court Cases as Enforcement Faces Delays
Gurugram, Haryana | September 1, 2026: Action against illegal construction on protected Aravali land in Haryana continues to face delays as court stays, ongoing litigation and fresh encroachments complicate the government's enforcement efforts.
A recent action taken report (ATR) submitted by Haryana to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) shows that although hundreds of structures have been removed, a much larger number of unauthorised constructions remain across the protected Aravali belt.
6,793 Unauthorised Structures Identified
The Haryana Forest Department's survey identified 6,793 unauthorised structures across 729 locations, covering around 780.2 acres of protected land in areas including:
- Ankhir
- Anangpur
- Lakkarpur
- Mewla Maharajpur
The structures include farmhouses, banquet halls, marriage gardens and other commercial developments.
However, the major demolition drive completed in July 2025 covered only 241 structures across 88 locations, leaving a significant portion of the identified encroachments untouched.
Court Stays Continue to Block Demolitions
The latest ATR highlights several cases where demolition action cannot proceed because of interim orders from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
One of the recent cases, CWP-5493-2024, involving Dawertex Pvt Ltd and the Haryana government, was adjourned on August 26 to November 3.
Several other petitions, including cases pending since 2018, continue to affect enforcement action.
The forest department has specifically identified locations where structures covered by court stays could not be included in the demolition exercise.
Fresh Encroachment Also Detected
Despite the legal challenges, enforcement activity has not completely stopped.
In July 2026, officials detected an unauthorised structure involving non-forest activity in Anangpur. A duty magistrate was appointed and the structure was removed on July 7.
The development indicates that authorities are continuing to monitor the protected areas while dealing with existing litigation.
Some Projects Seeking Government Approvals
Government and institutional projects in protected areas are being dealt with through a separate approval process.
The Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) has received Stage-I approval for diversion of 67.6 hectares of PLPA-notified land.
The tourism department has also received in-principle approval for diversion of 37.6 hectares within the Surajkund Tourism Complex.
These developments have raised concerns among environmental observers about the continued pressure on protected Aravali land.
Supreme Court Wants Restoration, Not Just Demolition
The issue is not limited to removing illegal structures.
The Supreme Court's directions also require Haryana to restore the affected land to its earlier status, including through reforestation and afforestation.
The court had earlier expressed concern over the slow implementation of its directions concerning protected Aravali land.
This means that even after encroachments are removed, the government faces the additional challenge of restoring degraded areas and strengthening the ecological character of the Aravali belt.
Why This Matters for NCR Property Development
The Aravali belt plays an important ecological role across the Delhi-NCR region, particularly around Gurugram and Faridabad.
Restrictions on construction and land-use changes can directly affect property development plans in areas falling under protected or environmentally sensitive regulations.
For property owners and developers, the continuing court cases and approval requirements also highlight the importance of verifying land-use status, environmental restrictions and applicable approvals before purchasing or developing land in the Aravali region.
What Happens Next
The CEC is continuing to examine Haryana's compliance with the Supreme Court's directions.
The state will have to deal with pending court cases, monitor new encroachments and take further action wherever legal clearance permits.
At the same time, restoration and reforestation of cleared land will remain an important part of the larger effort to protect the Aravali ecosystem.
The extent to which Haryana can move beyond individual demolitions and implement a broader restoration strategy will determine the long-term impact of the enforcement drive.