40% of Aravallis choked by garbage, MC begins inquiry

Despite last month’s devastating waste fires that destroyed over 80 acres of Aravalli forest, nearly 40% of the forest cover in Gurugram, Faridabad and Nuh continues to be buried under mounds of garbage and construction debris, a recent survey has revealed.

The survey, conducted on the orders of Forest Minister Rao Narbir Singh, found that massive amounts of waste — primarily spilling over from the Bandhwari landfill site — have been illegally dumped across forested areas. Shockingly, the culprits include contractors empanelled by the municipal corporations of Gurugram, Faridabad and Nuh, who continue to operate unchecked.

“We are in touch with the civic authorities to get the Aravallis cleaned. We have zero tolerance towards any damage to the forest. We will identify and punish the dumping and waste mafia,” said Rao Narbir Singh, stressing the urgency of the situation.

While newly appointed MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya remained unavailable for comment, a Joint Commissioner confirmed that an inquiry had been launched against contractors Greentech and Adarsh Bharat, who had been tasked with treating legacy waste at Bandhwari by June.

“We are serving them a notice for spreading waste in the forest. Numerous complaints have come from local villagers and environmentalists. No significant progress has been made and the waste is spilling into the forest,” said the official.

Environmentalists and residents are outraged, especially as the dumping has now reached the ecologically sensitive Mangar Bani grove. Located in Faridabad district, the grove lies within the 3,810-acre Gair Mumkin Pahar zone, of which 1,132 acres are protected under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA). The rest is designated “status to be decided”, restricting any non-forest activity.

Over recent weeks, multiple dumper trucks have allegedly been seen unloading untreated compost-like waste, mixed with plastic and toxic residue, into the Aravallis’ rain-fed catchments and forest trails. Locals claim the waste is being used to illegally level land, raising fears of land grab under the pretext of landfill work.

“The locals have visual proof of the damage — and even of the vehicles involved. The agencies meant to clear Bandhwari landfill are turning the forest into a dumping ground. It’s high time the CM steps in and appoints a competent agency. The Supreme Court has taken cognisance of the crisis, but Haryana continues to look away,” said Vaishali Rana Chandra, a local environmentalist.