National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notice to Central and Haryana Government, State Pollution Control Board and Gurugram Municipal Corporation on petition pointing out the land encroachments, deforestation and illegal constructions at Chandrasekhar Smriti Van, previously known as Bharat Yatra Kendra in Bhondsi. More than 500 acre Smriti Van was founded by former Prime Minister Chandrasekhar in mid 80s after his Bharat Yatra.
“Applicant has alleged following impermissible activities in the said forest land which are as follows. 1.Illegal encroachment : Resorts, farm houses and a 395 acre police training institute (built in 2004 by felling 62,000 trees) violates the Forest (Conservation)Act 1980. NGT orders (2019, 2020) criticised Haryana’s inaction, yet no remedies followed.,” said the order issued by NGT Principal Bench headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel, detailing various violations in Chandrasekhar Smriti Van.
The petition was filed an environmental activist Naveen Bamel, represented by Advocate Gaurav Arya.
The petition said that series of deforestation and illegal felling of trees, bird poaching, land grabbing, illegal constructions and anti-social activities are happening at Smriti Van.
“Leopard Habitat Loss : Urabanisation and deforestation drive man animal conflict, with leopard sighting in 2023-2025, violating habitat protection rights.
Climate and Constitutional Violations : The van’s degradation undermines India’s climate obligations and constitutional mandates (Articles 2, 48A, 51A(g), impacting vulnerable communities,” said the petition, detailing series of illegalities, land grabbing, deforestation at Chandrasekhar Smriti Van.
Next hearing is scheduled on October 14.