Demarcation Fears in Aravalli Hills: Villagers Warn of Land Grab
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New Delhi: The Haryana government's recent decision to undertake 'kilabandi' or land demarcation in Kot village's Aravalli stretch has sparked concerns among residents and environmental experts that village common land could be transferred to private hands. The notification, issued on October 30, aims to establish a uniform measurement system, but villagers fear it may pave the way for legitimising claims by private entities that allegedly acquired undivided shares in common land decades ago. Kot village, surrounded by rocky hills and dry forests, has over 5,095 bighas (over 3,000 acres) of land, with the majority classified as 'shamlat', or village common land. Villagers are worried that formal demarcation could weaken their claims to this land, which they argue should not be divided. The Haryana government has assured that the exercise is only for uniform measurement and does not involve consolidation of land. However, villagers point out that similar exercises in the past have been used to fragment common land, and that this latest notification could benefit powerful private players. Environmental analysts say Kot's case mirrors a broader pattern seen across the Faridabad-Gurugram Aravallis, where common land has been sold to outsiders and then partitioned through consolidation proceedings. They warn that the kilabandi exercise could facilitate the conversion of undivided shares into identifiable plots, benefiting entities that have acquired land through questionable means. The issue has gained urgency in the context of recent changes in forest law, which could benefit firms holding land in Haryana's Aravallis. The Union environment ministry's evolving definition of the Aravalli Hills has also added to the uncertainty, with environmentalists fearing that large areas may be left outside legal protection. Experts warn that the destruction of the Aravalli Hills could have severe consequences, including worsening air quality and climate change. They urge the government to take a firm stance against the misuse of consolidation proceedings and protect the environment. The case has sparked concerns among residents, who fear that their common land could be lost to private interests. The Haryana government must ensure that the kilabandi exercise is carried out transparently and does not benefit powerful private players at the expense of the environment.
