India, July 29 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought responses from the Centre, the Haryana government, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board and a local temple trust over alleged environmental violations in the ecologically sensitive Aravalli Forest area in Gurugram's Sector 54. The matter pertains to claims of illegal construction and encroachment by the Kholi-Wale Baba Temple Trust in the Haiderpur Viran region, officials, aware of the matter, said. The petition was filed on July 21, by environmentalist and trustee of the Aravallis Bachao movement, Vaishali Rana, who has been raising concerns about large-scale violations of forest and environmental laws. Rana's plea, which was admitted by the NGT's principal bench, argues that the temple trust has carried out unauthorised development-including construction of permanent structures, laying of roads, digging borewells and concretisation-within protected forest areas, in violation of laws such as the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; and the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900. "This isn't just a case of minor encroachment-it is a systematic attempt to alter the ecological character of one of the few remaining forest patches in Gurugram," said Rana. "Illegal structures, cement roads, metal sheds, and even a stable housing hundreds of cattle have come up in an area where no non-forest activity is permitted. These violations are not only harming the local biodiversity but also crippling the natural groundwater recharge systems." The plea has demanded immediate removal of all illegal constructions, restoration of the area to its original forested state, and implementation of a continuous monitoring mechanism to prevent future violations. One major concern raised is the total concretisation of a natural creek that served as a stormwater channel. Rana has warned that this destruction could worsen urban flooding and groundwater depletion. The petition also notes the presence of 250-300 cattle in a makeshift stable built illegally on forest land. Rana has requested that these animals be relocated to a legally approved shelter facility, citing not only environmental damage but also violations of animal welfare norms. In its order, the NGT directed all respondents-including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Haryana forest department, and the Gurugram administration-to file their responses by October 29, the next date of hearing. The case is being watched by environmentalists and civic groups across Delhi-NCR, with many fearing that failure to act could set a dangerous precedent for further encroachment in the Aravalli range....