GURUGRAM: In a significant development, the forest department has uncovered the presence of illegal farmhouses spanning approximately 50 acres within the protected Aravali plantation area across seven villages in Gurgaon.

According to officials, the department has issued 50 notices, granting the violators until the end of this month to dismantle the structures. Failure to comply by May 31 will result in the department carrying out a demolition drive next month. Following a survey, it was discovered that unauthorized construction had taken place in Manesar, Shikohpur, Sahrawan, Naurangpur, Sakatpur, Ghata, and Behrampur.

Range officer Karmaveer Malik (Gurgaon) stated, “Illegitimate houses and farmhouses have been identified on land designated for the Aravali plantation project. Showcase notices have been issued, mandating the removal of these illegal structures. Failure to comply with this order will result in the demolition of these houses.”

Areas encompassed by the Aravali Plantation project are classified under the Forest Conservation Act of 1980, which strictly prohibits tree felling and non-forest construction.

This survey by the forest department was initiated following a report published by TOI on May 13, revealing that 35 acres of Aravali forest area, also part of the Aravali Plantation project, had been leveled to construct farmhouses near the Golf Course Road Extension in Behrampur village. The presence of construction workers within the fenced-off compounds and satellite imagery depicting the area’s significant loss of greenery over the past five years further confirmed the findings.

Experts expressed concern over the blatant disregard for laws protecting the Aravalis. Forest analyst Chetan Agarwal remarked, “The scale of construction in the Aravalis is alarming. We hope that the forest department can promptly remove these encroachments, allowing for a plantation drive during the upcoming monsoon.”

Ecologist and wildlife expert Sunil Harsana highlighted that the forest area in this region forms an essential wildlife corridor. “Engaging in non-forest activities not only impacts forest coverage but also disrupts wildlife distribution patterns. Consequently, the region is prone to increase human-animal conflicts,” he warned.

The Aravali plantation project, initiated in the 1990s to restore approximately 33,000 hectares across six districts of Haryana, was notified under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) following a Supreme Court ruling in 2004. With merely 3.6% of its total land classified as forests, Haryana has one of the lowest forest cover percentages among all states in India.

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BHOPAL: In a significant move preceding the Assembly elections, the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh declared on Tuesday that all unauthorized colonies established until December 31, 2022, would be regularized. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made this announcement during a program at his official residence in Bhopal.

With the state’s Assembly elections scheduled by the end of this year, the decision carries significant political implications.

Under the regularization plan, residents of these colonies will be exempt from paying any development charges, and their houses will be regularized in their existing condition, stated Chouhan.

Chouhan affirmed, “All unauthorized colonies that emerged before December 31, 2022, will be regularized. Adequate funding will be allocated for the development of these colonies, particularly for the creation of essential infrastructure such as electricity and water supply.”

However, the chief minister cautioned officials that they would be held accountable for any illegal colonies established after December 31. Following regularization, the residents of these colonies will have access to bank loans, and allocations can be made for them from the MP/MLA Local Area Development Funds, he added.

Chouhan urged people to establish resident welfare associations for the comprehensive development of their colonies, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness. Bhupendra Singh, the Minister of Urban Administration and Development, revealed that approximately 6,077 colonies existing prior to December 31, 2016, were already undergoing regularization.

He requested the chief minister extend the cut-off date to December 31, 2022, allowing 2,500 additional colonies to benefit from the regularization process. The Principal Secretary of the Urban Administration Department, Neeraj Mandloi, stated that building permissions for 1,122 such colonies would be issued starting Tuesday, with 500 letters currently being distributed to beneficiaries across the state.

The regularization process is set to conclude by June 30, according to Mandloi. In addition, the chief minister instructed that food be provided at a subsidized rate of Rs 5 per person under the Deendayal Rasoi Yojana to the underprivileged individuals migrating to cities.

Notable attendees at the announcement included Tulsiram Silawat, the Minister of Water Resources, Vishvas Sarang, the Minister of Medical Education, and Malti Rai, the Mayor of Bhopal.

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Salman Khan, one of Bollywood’s most prominent actors, has unveiled plans to construct an impressive 19-storey hotel at a prestigious location in Mumbai, according to exclusive information obtained by the Times of India.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has granted approval for the construction of the hotel on a picturesque sea-facing plot in Carter Road, owned by none other than Salma Khan, the actor’s mother.

The Khan family, renowned for their significant investments in the real estate sector, joins the league of Bollywood families who have capitalized on the thriving property market. In a 2011 interview with TOI, Salim Khan, Salman’s father, disclosed his penchant for acquiring properties on a regular basis, catering to the needs of his family, including his superstar son.

Initially intended for residential redevelopment, the plot formerly accommodated the Starlet Cooperative Housing Society. However, the Khan family has opted for a change in plans, as revealed by Sapre & Associates, the architectural firm representing the Khans. They have submitted revised blueprints for a “commercial centrally air-conditioned building with a height of 69.90 meters.”

According to the proposed plans, the magnificent 19-storey structure will feature a café and a restaurant on the first and second floors, respectively. The third floor will be dedicated to a state-of-the-art gymnasium and an exquisite swimming pool. The fourth floor will serve as a service floor, while the fifth and sixth floors will house a sophisticated convention center. From the seventh to the nineteenth floors, the building will serve as a luxurious hotel, as reported by the Times of India.

In April of this year, reports surfaced that Salman Khan had leased a flat in the sought-after neighborhood of Bandra West, Mumbai, at a monthly rent of approximately Rs 1.5 lakh. In addition to his rented property, the actor owns a splendid residence at Galaxy Apartments, where he currently resides, along with a splendid farmhouse in Pavel and a delightful beach house in Gorai.

Stay tuned for updates as Salman Khan ventures into the world of hospitality with the construction of his opulent 19-storey hotel, promising an unrivaled experience of luxury and comfort in Mumbai’s thriving metropolis.

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According to the latest report by Knight Frank, Mumbai has secured the 6th position among 46 cities worldwide in terms of annual price growth for high-end residential properties, with a notable appreciation of 5.5 percent.

The renowned real estate consultancy, Knight Frank India, published their findings in the ‘Prime Global Cities Index Q1 2023’, revealing positive trends for Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi, with an increase in average annual prices during the period of January to March 2023.

The report highlighted Mumbai’s impressive ascent from the 38th rank in Q1 2022 to the 6th rank in Q1 2023, specifically attributed to the growth in high-end or prime properties. Bengaluru and New Delhi also experienced an upward shift in their index rankings, reaching the 16th and 22nd positions respectively, compared to their previous ranks of 37th and 39th in the first quarter of the calendar year 2022.

Knight Frank India further elaborated on the figures, noting that Mumbai recorded a 5.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase in average prices, while Bengaluru witnessed a 3 percent YoY rise, and New Delhi saw a 1.2 percent YoY growth, all compared to Q1 2022.

On a global scale, Dubai secured the top position with an impressive surge of 44.2 percent in the values of prime residential properties.

The Prime Global Cities Index serves as a valuation-based indicator, tracking the movement of prime residential prices across 46 cities worldwide. The index monitors nominal prices in local currencies.

The remarkable rise of Mumbai on the international index can largely be attributed to the surge in demand within the city, as stated by the consultancy.

While the demand remains robust across all segments, Knight Frank highlighted an increase in the sale of higher-value products.

CMD of Knight Frank India, Shishir Baijal, commented, “Despite concerns surrounding global growth and inflation that characterized most of 2022, the Indian economy showcased steady performance.”

Baijal further emphasized that the Indian real estate market demonstrated continued momentum in demand, even in the face of an inflationary environment and a steep rise in home loan rates over the past year.

“In particular, we have observed a consistent demand for prime residential properties due to three key factors: firstly, these consumers are less reliant on mortgage support; secondly, the sustained economic growth has led to increased income stability, and lastly, there is a prolonged trend of purchasing larger homes,” added Baijal.

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