Context: The CAG has detected parcels of forest land being used for non-forest purposes at several places in Aravalli and Shivalik Hill areas in Haryana.

CAG Report:

• CAG has insisted that the delicate ecology under the forest cover in Aravalli and Shivalik range constantly suffered due to encroachments and unauthorised activities.
• The report alleged the government of Haryana was ineffective in checking illegal mining, controlling offenders and expenditure incurred on surveillance.
• Ecological degradation in the Aravalli region is in alarming situation due to increasing population of human and cattle, injudicious use of natural resources, unscientific mining, uncontrolled grazing and felling of trees.
• The National Capital Region, including Gurugram/Faridabad, has witnessed exponential growth on the limited natural resources. Resultantly, the Aravalli region remains ecologically, economically and socially backward in comparison with the other parts of the state.
• In less than half a century, the burgeoning population of humans and livestock have stressed the natural resources of Shivalik, thereby threatening the survival of its flora and fauna.

About Aravallis of Haryana:

• The Aravallis of Haryana falls in seven districts: Gurugram, Mewat, Faridabad, Palwal, Mahendragarh, Rewari and Bhiwani.
• The Shivalik region in Haryana is spread over 3,514 square kms in districts of Ambala, Panchkula and Yamunanagar.

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/ecological-degradation-in-aravallis-alarming-cag-7233738/

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