Petition in NGT says dumping in Aravallis yet to be banned

Environmentalists have filed a petition with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) alleging that the local administration has failed to comply with the NGT order that stated that dumping of waste in the Aravallis should be banned.

Green activists also claimed that there has been regular encroachment in the area and the civic bodies have turned a blind eye to the issue. The NGT will hear the green activists’ plea on July 17.

“It is clear that that the officials are working in connivance with the local land-grabbing mafia. And the rot extends all the way to the top. The forest department is mandated to conserve the forest, uphold/enforce the law proactively. In this case, even after repeatedly being requested to do so, the local conservator and his senior refuse to act. The district administration actively creates opportunities to spend big amounts on non-essential, frothy activities because they make money in these activities. There is, in my opinion, enough evidence here of the organized racket to create slums on forest land in the most prominent entrance of Gurgaon right next to Delhi,” said Amit Chaudhery, naturalist.

The region is notified under general Section 4 and 5 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, where non-forest activities are restricted.

The NGT order had said that the civic bodies were supposed to take strict action in compliance with its order. Also, it stated that no measures have been taken by the municipal corporation to curb illegal dumping of waste in the area.

On January 22, the NGT had directed the MCG and Huda to stop dumping construction waste in the Aravallis.

The NGT order came after a plea was filed by environmentalist Vivek Kamboj, who had alleged that the Municipal Corporations of Gurgaon and Faridabad were disposing industrial waste and construction debris in forest areas on Gurgaon-Faridabad Road, on January 17.

Though a special investigation team was formed by the district administration to probe a case related to dumping of C&D waste in the Aravalli forest area in January, and a report was submitted in March, its recommendations were not followed.

“Everything has been done on paper, nothing has been done on ground,” said Vivek Kamboj, an environmentalist.

The forest department also said that they had sent a letter to the MCG and Huda on June 22 urging them to follow NGT orders.