India, June 30 -- The Haryana forest department has imposed penalties of Rs.10.30 lakh on three companies for illegally dumping construction debris and industrial waste across protected forest areas in Nuh district. It has also lodged police complaints against the three firms seeking action under the Forest Conservation Act. Police have registered FIRs in the case.

According to officials, the first major violation surfaced on June 27 near Khori Kalan village, located along the foothills of the Aravallis in Nuh. Forest patrolling teams, acting on a tip-off, intercepted a truck laden with waste material attempting to illegally dump debris inside designated forest land.

Sensing trouble, the driver fled the spot, abandoning the vehicle. How...