Gurugram, Oct. 27 -- A city-based private environmental upliftment trust has accused the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) of allowing illegal dumping and open burning of untreated waste from the Bandhwari landfill inside the protected Aravalli forest area, allegedly causing large-scale groundwater contamination and ecological damage. According to the Save Aravali Trust, tonnes of waste are being secretly transported and set on fire in forest patches with the tacit approval of civic officials. This has resulted in toxic leachate seeping into water bodies and soil, polluting aquifers that supply surrounding villages and endangering wildlife. "This is not just an environmental crime but a grave threat to human life," said Kailash Bidhuri, a member of the trust. "The MCG has turned a blind eye to continuous dumping and burning of hazardous waste inside the forest. Despite several complaints and photographic evidence, no meaningful action has been taken." In a formal complaint to the Gurugram police commissioner, the Trust has demanded criminal action against MCG officials and accused Bandhwari contractors of operating without adequate environmental safeguards. "Every time authorities promise checks, the violations resume quietly after a few weeks," said Jitender, another Trust member. "Streams of contaminated leachate continue to flow through Aravalli slopes and into nearby ponds." When contacted, senior MCG officials said the civic body has taken note of the allegations. "We will look into the matter and resolve the issue at the earliest," said Ravinder Yadav, joint commissioner, MCG. "We have already started implementing pollution control measures. A Rs.2-crore project for a boundary wall, stormwater drain, and view cutters along the Gurugram-Faridabad Road was initiated on July 14 to reduce visual and environmental impact. We will send a team to Bandhwari on Monday morning for inspection," he added. The Trust dismissed the assurances as inadequate. "We are not asking for walls or view cutters. We are asking for accountability and an end to the poisoning of our forests and water," said Bidhuri. Environmentalists have echoed these concerns, stating that the ongoing dumping and burning undermine long-standing efforts to protect the Aravalis. "The range plays a vital role in recharging groundwater and preventing desertification. The release of toxins and leachate from burning waste can lead to long-term respiratory illnesses and contamination of drinking water sources," said Jitender. The allegations persist despite multiple National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives to curb illegal dumping at Bandhwari. Activists say that on the ground, "nothing has changed." Satellite images and drone footage shared by activists reportedly show patches of charred earth and plumes of thick smoke rising from forested zones near the landfill. "The visuals don't lie - fresh burn marks and smoke trails can be seen clearly in the latest footage," said Vaishali Rana, a Gurugram-based environmentalist. "It's alarming to see such blatant disregard for the ecosystem even after repeated NGT orders." Environmentalists said the footage provides crucial evidence for a probe into the landfill's operations....