Haryana government has told the National Green Tribunal that 539 violations have been recorded in the Aravali region falling within the state. These violations include cutting of trees, construction of concrete roads, tube wells, installation of submersible pumps and construction of swimming pools. Another major violation is construction and other nonforestry activities without getting jungle clearance by the property owners. The State Pollution Control Board in its affidavit has also submitted that many of the offences are recurring. Raising concern over the large scale violation of green norms, repeat offences and how the situation seems to be getting out of control, NGT has asked the state government to submit its action plan to deal with the situation. The state government may now file its reply within a fortnight and the Tribunal will take up the case in December. According to the affidavit, the most common violation in the ecologically-sensitive zone is clearing of trees for non-forestry activities, which are strictly banned. The other key concern is construction of pucca roads. Forest department officials said laying of roads and permanent tracks is the biggest bane for the forest since they pave way for all other nonforest activities. “Construction of tube wells and installation of more number of submersible pumps is a serious sign since this region is the natural water recharge zone for cities, including Gurgaon and Faridabad. Sharp depletion of groundwater will impact the surrounding area,” said Chetan Agrawal, an environment analyst. Environment activists have already red flagged the Haryana government’s proposal to allow setting up of a mega tourism complex in Mangar as a part of development plan, saying that large scale construction will have affect the groundwater table.