Gurugram, Aug. 13 -- Environmental activists and residents have alleged large-scale destruction of a thriving Aravalli forest patch behind Koliwale Baba Mandir and Sun City, Sector 54, under the Haryana government's "Matri Van" reforestation initiative. The project, inaugurated by the chief minister on August 2, is being executed by a private developer authorised by the Forest Department, they said. According to the Aravallis Bachao Citizens Movement, eight to 10 earthmoving machines have been deployed since early Monday to flatten and clear an area equivalent to two football fields. While dominated by Vilayati Kikar, they claim the patch sustains diverse flora and fauna, including ground-nesting birds and reptiles, and that heavy machinery is causing irreversible habitat loss. "This is not reforestation - this is habitat destruction," said Vaishali Rana, trustee of the movement. "Introducing cycling tracks, yoga centres and recreational structures here is not conservation but an urban park plan to benefit nearby luxury apartments." The group has flagged potential violations of the Indian Forest Act, 1927; the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, alleging ecological damage, misuse of heavy machinery in fragile terrain, and conflict of interest in awarding the project to developers with a record of environmental violations. Col S.S. Oberoi, another trustee, said the site choice was flawed. "If the aim is truly rewilding, why target a patch that already has a thick canopy? Restoration should focus on degraded and barren Aravalli stretches." Kusum Sharma, chairperson of the Suncity RWA, alleged irregularities. "I saw a developer's horticulture team removing large logs and clearing trees. They could not show any paperwork or tender documents. If this is part of the Matri Van project, why use earthmovers instead of manual labour? The same Forest Department that prohibits cutting even small stems during monsoon is now allowing large-scale clearing." Forest officials denied the allegations. Divisional forest officer Gurugram, Ramkumar Jangra, said, "As per the plan and directions of the forest minister, we are removing Kikar and planting native species such as pipal, jamun, and banyan to benefit wildlife. The work is being done by forest teams, not private contractors."...