Toxic Waste Burning Poisons Aravalli Forests, Harming Wildlife and Water

According to the Save Aravali Trust, as of October 27th, 2025, tonnes of waste are being secretly transported and set on fire in forest patches adjoining the Bandhwari landfill site. The trust alleges that this practice is being carried out with the tacit approval of civic officials, resulting in toxic leachate seeping into nearby water bodies and soil, polluting aquifers that supply water to surrounding villages and endangering wildlife habitats.

The trust has filed a formal complaint with the Gurugram police commissioner, demanding criminal action against MCG officials allegedly responsible for the dumping and environmental violations. They have also accused contractors at the Bandhwari waste site of operating without adequate environmental safeguards.

Despite multiple National Green Tribunal directives to curb illegal dumping and strengthen monitoring at Bandhwari, activists say that on the ground, "nothing has changed" and that civic agencies continue to flout court-mandated norms. Satellite images and drone footage reportedly show patches of charred earth and plumes of thick smoke rising from forested zones near the landfill, suggesting that the dumping and burning may have continued despite official claims of control measures.

Environmentalists have echoed these concerns, stating that the ongoing pollution undermines long-standing efforts to protect the Aravalis, which play a vital role in recharging groundwater and preventing desertification. They warn that the release of toxins and leachate from burning waste can lead to long-term respiratory illnesses and contamination of drinking water sources.