India, May 9 -- In a major crackdown on rampant environmental violations in the ecologically fragile Aravallis, Nuh deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena on Thursday invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to impose a blanket ban on all forms of open waste burning within Aravalli boundaries across the district.

The order follows mounting reports of toxic waste being set ablaze near Khori Khurd village-allegedly by industrial units from Bhiwadi in Rajasthan-causing irreversible harm to local ecosystems and nearby residents. "The Aravallis are not a dumping ground," Meena said. "This is an environmental emergency."

Officials from the forest department, pollution control board and police have been depl...