Gurgaon: A Union environment ministry panel has recommended granting approval to regularise 37 hectares of Surajkund Tourism Complex in Faridabad that encroaches on protected Aravali forest land. At the same time, the panel has sought disciplinary proceedings against Haryana govt officers who allowed the diversion of deemed forest land without prior approval and payment of penal charges.The ministry’s advisory committee (AC) examined Haryana govt’s proposal seeking ex post facto approval — which can be done under provisions of the amended Forest Conservation Act — for the tourism complex built on land notified under Section 4 of Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA). While the committee agreed to recommend “in-principle” approval to regularise diversion of forest land, it made it clear that the violation cannot be condoned and accountability needs to be fixed.It recommended action under sections 3A and 3B of FCA against officers responsible for allowing forest land to be used for non-forestry purposes without mandatory prior approval of the Centre and asked the state govt to submit an action taken report.The committee also imposed financial penalty on the Haryana tourism department, which developed the tourism complex, recommending a fine of five times the net present value (NPV), along with 12% simple interest, for the portion of the project where approvals were granted after March 18, 2004, the date on which Supreme Court first held that PLPA Section 4 land would be treated as forest as recognised by FCA. In addition, the tourism department will also have to bear the cost of compensatory afforestation in accordance with the ministry’s Jan 2026 guidelines.The committee also raised questions over missing records about the project’s history. It noted that Haryana govt failed to submit documents showing administrative approvals for work undertaken between 1980 and 2004 as well as those executed after 2004, despite claiming the project had received approvals from competent authorities. The AC asked the state to furnish these records before the clearance process moves ahead.The AC also noted that during inspection, the ministry’s regional office was informed that parts of the tourism complex fall within protected zones around the ancient Surajkund monument, and that notices had earlier been issued by Archaeological Survey of India to the tourism department. The committee observed that the state govt had not submitted the required no-objection certificate from archaeological authorities. It said the NOC is mandatory for the clearance to go through.The complex comprises parking areas, mela grounds, Hotel Rajhans, convention facilities, roads, helipad access, lawns and other tourism infrastructure spread over those 37 hectares. The state has proposed plantations over 66 hectares, including 9 hectares of non-forest land and 57 hectares of degraded PLPA land in Faridabad and Gurgaon. Inspection reports found these sites largely covered with invasive vilayati keekar, which will be removed before plantation.
