Illegal fires invite legal burns: Haryana targets Rajasthan’s Aravalli polluters

Having struggled with the illegal dumping and burning of industrial waste being brought from Rajasthan for a while, Haryana has now put its foot down, penalising Rajasthan waste generators and dumpers.How severe is the crisis?Chemical and industrial waste from Rajasthan is being illegally brought into Haryana, and burnt in the Aravalli foothills. Currently, the Tauru block of Nuh district is the worst affected. Many villages of the area are forced to grapple with the late-night waste fires.How is the Aravalli being affected?The waste fires are destroying the Aravalli forest area in Nuh — leading to loss of precious flora and fauna. The fires have burnt down several trees, polluted air, soil and water, and driven away wildlife. These are impacting thousands of people living in the vicinity as toxic fumes are making entire villages ill. Instances of pulmonary, ophthalmic and dermatological diseases have increased, and residents have been threatening mass evacuations.What is the current situation?The National Green Tribunal has taken suo moto cognisance of news reports in this regard, and is seeking answers from Haryana. While momentary action had been initiated, no concrete deterring action had been taken. Amid a ‘jurisdiction clash’, Haryana pollution authorities had been frequently writing to their Rajasthan counterparts, asking them to initiate action. However, this did not make much of a difference. Thus, to curb the menace, Haryana has decided to act independently.What latest action has Haryana Govt taken?Following a recent waste fire on June 27, the Haryana Forest Department has imposed penalties amounting to Rs 10.30 lakh on three Rajasthan-based companies — transporters and generators of waste — for illegally dumping construction debris and industrial waste in protected forest areas of Nuh district. Haryana authorities have also lodged police complaints against the three firms, seeking action under the Forest Conservation Act. Two separate cases were registered on Saturday at the Tauru Sadar police station after the department caught two companies allegedly dumping construction debris and industrial waste in the eco-sensitive Aravalli forest area near Khori Kalan and Silakhon villages. According to the police, FIRs have been registered under sections 223(b) and 324(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023), and provisions of the Environment Protection Act (1986), based on complaints filed by forest official Anup Singh. In the first case, M/s Gracure Pharmaceuticals Ltd, based in Bhiwadi, was accused of dumping nearly 800 sq m industrial waste near Khori Kalan, causing environmental loss amounting to Rs 4 lakh. In the second case, OM Cargo Logistic of Jaipur allegedly dumped debris over 60 sq m of forest land near Silakhon, leading to ecological damage and a recovery demand of Rs 1.3 lakh.

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