Gurugram, April 22 -- A third fire in as many weeks erupted in the Aravalli forest adjoining the Bandhwari landfill on Monday, prompting alarm among environmentalists who suspect a deliberate attempt to clear forest land to expand the landfill.

Monday's blaze follows two similar fires on April 3 and April 6, raising questions over the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram's (MCG) waste management practices and triggering calls for immediate investigation and accountability.

According to eyewitnesses, dry wood and kikar trees caught fire in the dense stretch behind the landfill.

However, fire engines could not access the area, as MCG has allegedly blocked a crucial revenue rasta with waste, environmentalists said.

"This looks like a nefari...