Summary:
“It seems policy makers are only favouring interests of real estate barons who will sell expensive flats to unsuspecting citizens in a concrete Aravali. This may lead to confusion,” said advocate Rahul Choudhary.The amendment will also drastically reduce the role of the forest department in the management of the Aravalis. A committee was set up in 2017 under the chief secretary to examine if PLPA areas are forests.The PLPA, enacted in 1900, was the earliest legal protection to the Aravalis given by the British. He reasoned that change cannot be avoided since areas with ‘urban structures’ in the Aravalis should not fall under PLPA. PLPA also covers some portions of the Shivalik ranges in northern Haryana.A senior forest department officer summed up the consequence of the move, saying, “The forest department should be closed as it has will have no role anymore..