Govt forms Aravalli patrolling force amid alarming increase in fires

With repeated fire incidents threatening the fragile ecosystem of the Aravallis, the Haryana Government has announced the formation of a special Aravalli patrolling unit to tackle the crisis.

Over the past two weeks, more than 50 fire incidents have been reported across the Aravalli forests in Gurugram, Faridabad, and Nuh districts. While authorities initially attributed the fires to rising temperatures, environmentalists and local residents allege deliberate land-grabbing attempts, especially around the Bandhwari landfill, where waste strewn across the forest is exacerbating the crisis.

Frustrated with the lack of effective action from local authorities, residents and environmentalists have now approached the Haryana Government, warning of protests if immediate steps are not taken.

“The Forest Minister himself lives in Gurugram and is oblivious to the crisis. The jungle is being deliberately burnt. It’s not just humans who are choking, but also the animals. Has anybody cared to check the impact on over 50 leopards living in the forest or other animals? It’s all being done to get more land for the Bandhwari landfill, which has already encroached on the forest,” said local environmentalist and Aravalli activist Vaishali Rana Chandra.

Responding to the allegations, Forest Minister Rao Narbir Singh told The Tribune: “I have not just marked an inquiry into this but even ordered the constitution of special forest patrolling teams to check on the causes of fire and report. I have also written to the ULB Minister to look into the menace being created by the landfill. We will resolve this.”

However, the minister’s assurances have failed to convince many activists. Jatinder Bhadana of Save Aravalli Trust dismissed it as “a mere eyewash."

“We have repeatedly been highlighting how, to reduce the height of Bandhwari, the garbage is being spread in the forest by both Municipal Corporations of Gurugram and Faridabad. They have no plan or way to treat the waste, so they are setting it on fire to burn it down. The trees are getting burnt, land is being cleared for further encroachment, and everybody sits with shut eyes,” Bhadana alleged.

Adding to the environmentalists’ concerns is the damage now reaching Mangar Bani, the only surviving patch of virgin forest in the region. Conservationist and local resident Sunil Harsana said: “The Aravallis never faced so many fires, as the forest traditionally has no history of such incidents. The situation has worsened over the past two weeks with regular fires. We local villagers are working with fire authorities and forest officials to deal with the menace.”

Haryana Tribune