Trees felled, land cleared on 100-acre land parcel along Dwarka Expressway corridor

Gurgaon: The forest department on Tuesday registered an offence after Sector 102A residents alleged violation of open spaces, which, they claim, serve as an important green patch and wildlife habitat along Dwarka Expressway corridor.The forest offence report has said that 53 trees were uprooted at the site, officials told TOI. This comes after an inspection was ordered following the complaint about land-clearing and tree felling without permission on the nearly 100-acre tract, designated as ‘open spaces’ in the Gurgaon-Manesar Urban Complex 2031 Development Plan.Gurgaon divisional forest officer (DFO) Surender Dangi said earlier the department initiated a field inspection. “We are investigating the matter,” the DFO told TOI.An earthmoving machine was operating amid dense vegetation on the parcel located in front of Joyville. Residents said that trees were being removed and the land was being cleared despite its designation as open space in the city’s development plan.The Gurgaon-Manesar Urban Complex 2031 Development Plan shows a large portion of land in Sector 102A under Land Use Code 700 (Open Spaces). According to the plan’s legend, the category includes parks, playgrounds, sports grounds and water bodies. The parcel lies between Sectors 102, 102A and 103 along Dwarka Expressway corridor.According to residents, the tract has remained largely undeveloped for years and has evolved into a densely vegetated area supporting local wildlife. They claimed that while the land is earmarked as open space in the master plan, it has not been acquired by the govt. Residents have sought immediate intervention from authorities and demanded action against unauthorised tree felling or land clearing.Joyville resident Sunil Sareen said a citizens’ group — DXPGDA Green Brigade — has been formed to pursue the matter. “We are holding regular meetings and are planning to move the National Green Tribunal soon,” Sareen said, adding, “The land is being cleared for encroachment, it seems. There can’t be any permission for clearing of land and bushes and trees as it is an open space not for construction.”“100 acres have been demarcated as green land in the master plan,” said another Joyville resident Amit Mukeshaw. The complaint has renewed concerns over the protection of designated open spaces in New Gurgaon, where rapid urbanisation has increased pressure on undeveloped land parcels.