If the plan is approved and implemented, the Forest Department would be able to force the private owners of forestland in the Aravalis to grow trees and vegetation, which is not a compulsory activity till now.

This was disclosed by the new conservator of forests (south circle), A. K. Singh.

Singh has replaced R. P.Balwan,former member of the Supreme Court appointed Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC). Singh said that damage has already been done to the Arvalis due to nonforest activities and soil erosion.

Forestland owned byprivate developers and individuals comprises almost 50 per cent of the total recorded forest cover in the Aravalis. Singh said that his department was also going to propose a rehabilitation plan for the areas where mining is going on in the work plan.

"The non-government land, closed under Sections 4 & 5 of Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) 1900, should be treated as forestland only and, therefore, has to be rehabilitated equally on the lines of the recorded forestland. The SC has ruled that even the forestland on which either the notification has expired or has not been re-notified should be treated as forestland. The private land owners are required to seek permission from the forest department for any nonforestation activity they plan on their land,"Singh clarified.

He also plans to introduce integrated watershed development plan (IWDP) as well as forest development agencies (FDAs) in all the districts that have the Aravalis, to increase green cover on these hills.

IWDP exists only in Mewat region till now.FDAs would be formed to introduce social forestry and conservation of forests."I am also going to take up the issue of greenery with private developers as well. We would also talk to the Haryana Urban Development Authority on the same issue," Singh added.