A significant fire erupted inside a notified protected forest in Gurgaon district, causing substantial ecological and financial damage. The incident, which highlights the persistent threat of illegal waste dumping in vulnerable green zones, occurred in the Aravali ranges.
Incident Details and Immediate Aftermath
The blaze broke out in forest compartment number 64 near Kota Khandewla village in Taoru tehsil. According to forest department officials, the fire was allegedly triggered after individuals set dumped scrap and waste material ablaze. The incident took place on December 17.
Upon receiving information, teams from the forest department rushed to the site. They discovered that usable material had been first separated from the heaps of discarded scrap, following which the remaining waste was intentionally ignited. The flames quickly spread within the dry forest cover.
The fire brigade was called in, and after a concerted effort lasting several hours, the fire was successfully brought under control. Officials documented the scene by taking photographs for official records and investigation.
Extent of Damage and Legal Action
The forest fire damaged approximately one acre of protected forest land. Officials estimated the financial loss from the damage to be around Rs 2.40 lakh.
An FIR was registered at the Mohammadpur Ahir police station on Friday. The case has been filed under Section 33 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, along with sections 324(4), 324(5), and 326(f) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police have named two residents of Kota Khandewla village as accused in the First Information Report.
A Recurring Threat to the Aravalis
Forest officials expressed deep concern over such preventable incidents. A senior official stated that the fire originated from illegally dumped waste inside the forest boundary. They emphasized that vulnerable patches near human settlements are especially at risk, where even a small, careless fire can rapidly escalate and destroy precious forest land.
This event is not an isolated one. Officials noted that fires linked to illegal dumping and waste burning remain a recurring problem in parts of Nuh district and along the Aravali fringe. Forest tracts located adjacent to villages and informal industrial or activity zones are particularly susceptible to these man-made disasters, which threaten biodiversity and weaken an already fragile ecosystem.
The incident underscores the urgent need for stricter surveillance and waste management protocols in ecologically sensitive areas to protect the dwindling green lungs of the National Capital Region.
