GURUGRAM: Responding to a TOI report on August 6 on the illegal dumping of municipal solid waste on more than two acres of the eco-sensitive Aravalis, MCG cleared the garbage dumped at the Behrampur area earlier this week.
Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and the forest department also served notices to the corporation regarding the illegal activity. All non-forest activity is prohibited in the area as it comes under the
Aravali Notification 1992. “We cleared the garbage from the site once we were alerted about illegal dumping in the area. Seven sanitation workers and some vehicles were deployed to the task. The garbage has been transported to the designated management site,” said an MCG official. Reportedly, the garbage had been dumped in the eco-sensitive area by private contractors.
Locals said the illegal activity stopped only after notices were served to the corporation. “For the past two months, we have been noticing movement of tractors and trucks to dump waste in this area. We filed a series of complaints to MCG. Green activists from the city also visited the area and brought the issue to MCG’s notice. However, no action was taken. It’s only after media highlighted the issue and HSPCB and the forest department served notices to MCG that the site was cleared,” said Jagat, a villager. Locals who had pursued the issue felt building an obstruction in the area could prevent vehicle movement .
“I’m glad MCG has cleared the area, but we need a permanent solution. I’ve requested MCG to put a blockade or dig a trench to restrict movement of vehicles into the forest. The MCG commissioner has assured ha will consider the idea. With a natural water body that serves as a drinking hole to many wild animals, this area is crucial,” said Valley View resident Vaishali Rana Chandra. Waste dumping in the Aravalis has increased in recent months. Four cases were reported in the last three months. This includes industrial waste dumped in Manesar in August, and carcass of animals and municipal garbage dumped near DLF 1 near Gurugram-Faridabad road.
