NHRC notice to centre, Haryana and Rajasthan over ‘massive deforestation’ in Aravallis

According to the reports, the open forest has reduced and scrub has expanded by 5.7 percent in Aravallis, making it almost desert.

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday has sent a notice to the governments of Haryana and Rajasthan on the deforestation in the Aravalli Hills, “causing dust storms” in the national capital region.

“The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that massive deforestation in Aravalli hills for business interests in Rajasthan and Haryana is the root cause behind the increasing air pollution and health concerns in the Delhi-NCR region during the past several days creating health concerns,” the statement said.

The NHRC has observed that the gravity of the issue demands “proactive and effective measures” by the authorities concerned to stop deforestation and degradation of the famed Aravallis hill range. Heavy vegetation can prevent the situation from further failure and create a green barrier against the sandstorm, it said.

It is more important for citizen to understand the situation of eco-system and they must be more sensitive towards protecting the mountains surrounding them, which has always protected them,” NHRC said in a statement.

The notice has been sent to the Chief Secretaries of the two states and Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, looking at their response on the matter within six weeks.