Haryana Forests and Environment Minister Capt Abhimanyu, on Saturday said that potential forest areas in the Aravalli Hills outside the recorded forests will soon be identified on the basis of the criteria developed by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, approved by the Supreme Court of India, and applicable to all States.
In a statement issued here, Capt Abhimanyu said that this exercise would be done by an expert committee. Until the Supreme Court approved the criteria for further identification of forests in the country, ‘Mangar Bani’ and other such areas in the Aravali Hills are being kept under the category of “status to be decided,” he clarified. The delineation of Natural Conservation Zone in the NCR and Aravali areas is being done by the Town and Country Planning Department through deputy commissioners.
The areas presently recorded as forests like Reserve Forests, Protected Forests, Unclassed Forests Areas under Section 4 and 5 of Punjab land Preservation Act, 1900, areas closed under Section 38 of IFA, as well as Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks, are being reflected in the Natural Conservation Zone.