Goel orders FIR over Bandhwari leachate dumping in Aravallis

Cracking down on the illegal dumping of hazardous leachate in the Aravallis, Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Minister Vipul Goel has directed that an FIR be registered against contractors accused of discharging waste from the Bandhwari landfill into the ecologically sensitive forest region.

The directive follows a recent on-ground survey and multiple complaints from local residents of Bandhwari village, who alleged that contractors —reportedly hired from Mangar village — have been collecting leachate from the landfill and dumping it deep inside the forest, severely affecting wildlife. Carcasses of animals have been frequently spotted near these illegal dumping sites, they claimed.

Taking a stern stance, Goel ordered an immediate inquiry. “We are working hard to ensure that Bandhwari doesn't impact the forest in any way. While we are putting mechanisms in place to check leachate leaks, we have received reports that local contractors from Mangar village have been employed for leachate transportation. They are dumping it in the forest. We have zero tolerance on this. An inquiry has been marked and an FIR will be registered,” said the minister while talking to ‘The Tribune’.

Environmental degradation in the Aravallis due to leachate leaks and dumping has been a longstanding issue. Environmentalists have repeatedly flagged the threat to soil and water quality, warning that unchecked contamination may have irreversible effects on the fragile ecosystem.

“The waste mafia has been rampantly active in Bandhwari. Waste is being openly dumped in Mangar, which is a sacred grove, and the authorities often turn a blind eye. Bandhwari is an issue that requires expert intervention — not local tractors transporting toxic waste,” said Vaishali Rana Chandra, a local environmental activist.

Earlier this year, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) constructed a drain to divert leachate from the Bandhwari landfill into the Aravallis. While officials claimed that a collection pit downstream was in place to prevent groundwater contamination, environmentalists have challenged the move, warning of the risks to underground aquifers.

In 2024, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) collected water samples from ponds in the forest and confirmed the presence of leachate, further validating local concerns. Similarly, a 2021 survey by the Wildlife Department had exposed how a previous contractor was “intentionally spilling thousands of litres of leachate” into mining pits spread across the eco-sensitive zone.

The latest development is likely to put pressure on civic authorities and contractors to follow protocols. Environmentalists, meanwhile, have reiterated their demand for scientific and accountable waste management at Bandhwari.