NGT orders MoEF, Haryana to carry tree survey in Mangar forest

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Environment Ministry and Haryana government to carry out an independent study, including a tree survey, in the entire Mangar forest in Faridabad and apprise it about the "actual" status of forest cover in the area.
A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi asked the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) along with the Haryana Forest Department to complete the study in eight weeks.
"It is submitted on behalf of the applicant that the directions as prayed for commissioning an independent study would go long way to place on record the actual status of the forest cover in the area referred to in the application.

"We direct MoEF and Forest Department of Haryana government to carry out an independent study including tree survey, photography and videography... In order to create an objective and photographic baseline of tree and undergrowth," the bench said while posting the matter for next hearing on July 7.
It also directed the Haryana government to submit an affidavit in two weeks stating that it has passed appropriate order with regard to change in land use.
The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Col Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi seeking stay on change of land use from 'gair mumkin pahar' (non-cultivable land) to agriculture land by changing 'girdavari' (record) of land in the village of Mangar in Faridabad district.

The court had earlier stayed the attempts of three companies to change the land use pattern in parts of Mangar Bani, a grove off the Gurgaon-Faridabad highway.

The petition had sought stay on the attempts by companies --Kenwood Mercantile, Goodfaith Builders Pvt Ltd and Nandak Infocom -- to change the land use pattern.
According to the petitioner, the firms had filed 90 applications with the Haryana Revenue Department to change use of several patches from 'gair mumkin pahar' to agricultural land.
The plea had sought that any such change be considered "illegal, null and void" as it will lead to fragmentation of the Aravallis.

He also sought that the hilly areas of Mangar village be declared "deemed forest" under Section 2 of Forest Conservation Act and all non-forest activities be barred there.