Construction of a pathway along the edge of the Bandhwari landfill in the Aravali range has been stopped after forest officials found that the work lacked mandatory environmental clearance.
The unauthorised construction was detected during routine field inspections by the forest department. Officials said vegetation had been cleared and ground levelled to create an informal access route toward Mangar village.
Ecologically Sensitive Area Under Regulatory Watch
The stretch, measuring around 150 to 200 metres, lies within the ecological buffer surrounding the landfill and close to protected forest patches near Mangar. Since the land falls within the Aravali forest landscape, any alteration requires prior approval under forest and wildlife protection laws.
Divisional forest officer Surender Dangi confirmed that the work did not have the required permission. Authorities have directed an immediate halt to the activity.
Landfill Expansion Concerns Resurface
The Bandhwari landfill has been under environmental scrutiny for years. There have been allegations that the site expanded beyond its sanctioned limits and encroached upon protected forest land.
Previously, the National Green Tribunal had imposed environmental compensation on the Haryana government over waste dumping in the Bandhwari forest area and ordered corrective measures. Forest officials have also flagged issues related to leachate spreading into nearby forest zones.
Environmentalists Warn of Long-Term Impact
Experts caution that even a short, informal pathway can lead to habitat fragmentation, increased human intrusion, and further encroachment in a fragile ecosystem like the Aravali range.
With the Aravali region already under pressure from urban expansion and landfill-related pollution, authorities say strict compliance with environmental laws is essential to prevent irreversible ecological damage.
