Haryana has the lowest forest cover in India, with only 3.63% of its land forested—far below the national average of 21.67%. Out of its 44,212 sq km area, just 1,603 sq km is covered by forests, despite the 2006 Forest Policy’s goal of achieving 20% coverage. Rapid urbanisation in Gurgaon has further depleted forest areas, especially in the Aravalli and Shivalik hills. Between 2019 and 2021, Gurgaon lost 2.47 sq km of forest, mainly comprising moderately dense and open forest (68.4%). Illegal activities such as encroachment and unregulated mining have ravaged the Aravallis, threatening biodiversity and exacerbating environmental challenges.

The Aravalli hills are one of the world's oldest mountain ranges and a critical ecological barrier protecting Gurgaon from desertification caused by western Rajasthan's dry winds. They are a significant source of biodiversity, sheltering numerous rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. Beyond their ecological significance, these hills serve as vital regulators of the region’s climate and water resources. These hills:

• Support over 400 native tree species,
• Shelter 20+ wildlife species and 200+ bird species,
• Host rare and endangered animals such as leopards, hyenas, jackals, foxes,civets, nilgai, and chinkaras.

They also play a vital role in regulating regional climate and groundwater recharge, making them indispensable to both environmental and cultural heritage in Haryana.

Despite the 2020 lockdown, illegal sand and stone mining continued in Aravalli belts like Pandala, Damdama, Jalalpur-Sohna, Mangar, Tauru, and Nuh. Urban infrastructure projects in Gurgaon, including road widening and construction, have severely depleted green belts and tree cover. These losses contribute to worsening air quality, water and soil pollution, and an overall decline in environmental health.

Forest conservation is a concurrent subject under the Indian Constitution, governed by both central and state laws. Key regulations include:

• Forest (Conservation and Regulation) Act, 1995 – restricts mining without state approval.
• Forest (Prevention of Encroachment) Rules, 2012 – targets illegal occupations.
• Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) – aims to protect subsoil water, though proposed 2019 amendments threatened to open the Aravallis to mining and development.
• Forest Conservation Rules, 2022 – emphasize the role of regional and state committees in conservation.

Thanks to Supreme Court interventions, some construction and mining activities in the Aravallis have been restrained, but enforcement remains a challenge.

While the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has developed a 10-acre urban forest in Sector 109, afforestation efforts remain fragmented across departments and inconsistent in impact. Urgent actions needed include:

• Legal designation of the Aravallis as a Natural Conservation Zone,
• Protection of common lands,
• Scaling afforestation initiatives in coordination with local bodies, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and civil society.

Citizen-led movements like the Aravalli Bachao Andolan and Save Aravalli Trust have been instrumental in:

• Raising awareness,
• Reporting illegal activities,
• Conducting eco-walks and public education,
• Pressuring the government to enforce existing laws.

The shrinking forest cover of Gurgaon is a shared concern—one that demands collaboration between government authorities, judicial bodies, citizens, and activists. The Aravallis are not just ecological treasures; they are our living shield against environmental collapse. Preserving them is no longer optional—it is urgent and imperative.