India, May 4 -- Authorities in Nuh have identified five companies from Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, that have been illegally dumping and burning chemical-laced industrial waste in the ecologically sensitive Aravalli region, causing severe environmental damage and health hazards for local communities.

The breakthrough follows a HT expose that revealed rampant waste burning in the Khori Kalan and Khori Khurd villages near the Haryana-Rajasthan border, which has been linked to recurring forest fires and deteriorating air quality.

Nuh deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena formed a five-member fact-finding committee on Friday after mounting pressure from residents and media reports highlighting the crisis. "We took suo motu cognisance and have form...