CHANDIGARH, April 10 — The controversial Great Nicobar compensatory afforestation plan, aimed at offsetting large-scale deforestation for a mega infrastructure project in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has drawn criticism after Haryana allegedly auctioned off part of the designated afforestation site for mining.
The land in question—506 acres in Rajawas village, Mahendragarh—was notified as protected forest under the Forest (Conservation) Act on June 20, 2023. On the same day, Haryana’s mining department e-auctioned nearly one-fourth of this area to M/s Landsworthy Mining & Infra LLP for stone quarrying and setting up three stone crushers.
Residents of Rajawas raised alarm, filing Intervention Application 61/2025 before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in an ongoing suo-moto case registered last October to examine Haryana’s compliance with forest protection norms under the Great Nicobar afforestation swap.
In its April 4 order, the NGT acknowledged the “serious issue” of mining on protected forest land without proper clearance and restrained authorities from allowing any such activities until the next hearing on August 7. The tribunal also directed all respondents—including the Haryana Forest Department, SEIAA, and the mining firm—to file their replies within four weeks.
The “Great Nicobar swap” stems from the Ministry of Environment’s decision to allow diversion of 130 sq km of tropical forest for a mega-project in the island territory. As compensation, afforestation was to be carried out 2,400 km away in Haryana’s ecologically fragile Aravalli hills, with Rs 3,000 crore allocated for the effort.
However, locals and environmentalists say the move has backfired, accusing Haryana of greenwashing its development agenda while continuing to degrade the Aravallis—one of the oldest mountain ranges and a key barrier against desertification.
The land auction in Mahendragarh has triggered widespread backlash, with residents demanding restoration of ecological protections and the withdrawal of mining permits.
