Fresh incidents of illegal mining have been reported from the ecologically sensitive Aravali belt in Nuh, Haryana, highlighting a persistent challenge for authorities despite repeated crackdowns. The latest violations involve the illegal excavation of stone and sand, with reports indicating that a hillock was completely flattened in the area near Basai Meo in December 2024.
Locals Report Rampant Activity, Quick Getaways
Residents of the affected villages have expressed frustration over the ongoing operations, which they say continue with impunity. Sajid, a resident of Ghata Shamshabad village, described the modus operandi to TOI: "Trolleys come in, load the material and leave. By the time officials arrive, everything is gone. We have been raising this for days." The complaints point to a well-organized network that operates swiftly to avoid detection.
Acting on a specific tip-off about approximately 15 trolleys being used for illegal mining near Ghata Shamshabad, the forest department sprang into action. They promptly alerted the geology and mining department as well as enforcement authorities, requesting immediate intervention.
Joint Inspection Finds Empty Site, Launches Probe
In response, a joint team comprising officials from the forest department, the geology and mining department, and the Haryana State Enforcement Bureau (HSEB), Nuh, conducted a site inspection on Friday evening. However, the inspection yielded no immediate arrests, as no individuals were found at the location during the visit.
Officials confirmed that an inquiry has been initiated into the matter, and further action will be taken based on verification. The inspection also covered Ghata Shamshabad, where locals alleged that soil is being systematically excavated from mounds and transported away. Residents claimed that 10-15 trolleys of soil were moved from the area recently.
Task Force Formed, But Challenges Persist
A forest official from Nuh detailed the sequence of events: "As soon as information was received about illegal mining of stones from the Aravali hills in Hirwadi village and illegal digging of soil from the mounds, action was initiated immediately." A formal complaint was submitted to the geology and mining department and the HSEB police station in Nuh, urging action against the accused as per rules.
To tackle the endemic issue, the district administration has constituted a task force under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner. In a community-focused approach, village sarpanches have been instructed to alert officials immediately upon noticing any illegal excavation, enabling enforcement teams to respond swiftly.
The region's vulnerability is underscored by its history. Ghata Shamshabad is just a 15-minute drive from Basai Meo, an area previously scrutinized in an ACB investigation over alleged collusion between officials and miners to permit construction on protected land. This belt along the Haryana-Rajasthan border has long been a hotspot for such illegal activities, with miners allegedly creating a network of village routes to transport extracted material.
This latest episode exposes the stark limits of government intervention. It comes despite a Supreme Court-ordered mining ban in south Haryana and after the apex court previously reprimanded the Haryana government and its chief secretary for failing to protect a hillock in Basai Meo. The continuing discreet extraction and transportation of material signal an ongoing battle to protect the already ravaged sections of the Aravalis along the state border.
