Gurgaon: A fire broke out on Monday in approximately five acres of forest land in Mangar village, located in the Aravali hills. The flames spread rapidly through dense lantana undergrowth, the same area that was devastated by a major blaze last year. This incident once again exposed the chronic vulnerability to fires and weak preparedness in one of the region's most ecologically fragile stretches.
Fire Incident Details
The fire started around 3 p.m. Forest department officials and a fire brigade team were deployed as flames swept through dry scrub and thorn forest, fueled by parched vegetation, summer heat, and invasive lantana—a species that ecologists have repeatedly flagged as a major fire accelerant in the Aravalis. A forest official stated, "It took around two-and-a-half hours to douse the fire."
Containment efforts were hampered by rugged terrain and poor accessibility. The fire brigade struggled due to insufficient pipe length to reach deep forest pockets where flames continued to spread through thick undergrowth. An official remarked, "We had around four to five forest staff members on the ground to control the fire. Invasive species like lantana create a highly inflammable environment, making it difficult to control fires once they start."
The affected area falls under Sections 4 and 5 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act.
Ecologist Observations
Ecologist Sunil Harsana, who was present at the site, said recurring fires were becoming harder to tackle due to inadequate manpower and delayed response systems. He emphasized, "The department needs dedicated fire protection watchers. We will be able to respond much better."
Harsana also flagged logistical gaps. "When the fire brigade is called, it can take close to an hour. If the vehicle runs out of water, it has to travel again for refilling." He recommended installing a borewell near Pali police station to allow firefighting vehicles to refill locally and save crucial time. He also noted that even basic firefighting instruments were unavailable with ground staff.
Ecological Impact
Ecologists said lantana invasion has turned large parts of the Aravalis into a tinderbox during summer by creating dense, dry biomass that ignites easily and allows fire to travel rapidly. Harsana explained, "The problem is not just the fire, but the fuel load created by lantana invasion. Unless invasive species management becomes central to Aravali protection, such fires will keep recurring."
The latest blaze is particularly worrying because it struck the same Mangar patch that witnessed a major fire last year, underscoring how vulnerable regenerated zones remain without sustained restoration, firebreak planning, and invasive species control.
Mangar, along the Gurgaon-Faridabad Aravali belt, is critical for biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and wildlife movement. Environmentalists have long warned that recurring fires damage native vegetation, destroy habitats, weaken regeneration, and accelerate ecological degradation in the already stressed hill system.
Ongoing Monitoring and Historical Context
Forest officials were monitoring the area till evening, with the full extent of ecological damage still being assessed. The Times of India reported in December 2024 that forest fires are becoming increasingly common across Haryana. According to data from the Indian State of Forest Report, the number of fires recorded in the state more than doubled in a year—from 82 in 2022-23 to 166 in 2023-24—with most blazes reported in Ambala, Faridabad, Panchkula, and Yamunanagar. No forest fires were documented in Gurgaon in 2023.
