Notice to govt over toxic waste at landfill site

New Delhi, June 14

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the state government seeking a report about untreated toxic waste in a landfill site at Bandhwari village in Gurugram spilling into nearby villages in the Aravalli area.

5 villages affected

• The Central Pollution Control Bureau in its report in 2017 had found that the groundwater of three villages around the landfill site was contaminated
• The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute has confirmed that the contamination had spread to two more neighbouring villages

Besides, the commission has also asked the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to submit a report in the matter.

The state government and the Union Ministry have been asked to submit the reports within six weeks.

With regard to the state, its report to the commission should include the steps taken/proposed to be taken by it to deal with the hazard.

The commission has observed that the hazardous content from the landfill amounts to violation of human rights due to negligence of public authorities.

Reportedly, the Central Pollution Control Bureau in its report in the matter in 2017 had found that the groundwater of three villages around the landfill site was contaminated.

The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute has also confirmed that the contamination had spread to two more neighbouring villages.

Allegedly, there has been no forward movement in improving the situation and it is posing a threat to the health of the people residing in the area as well as flora and fauna of the forest area.