Villagers Protest Against Proposed Waste Dump Yard Near Pali village in Haryana

New Delhi: Residents of several villages near the Aravalli hills staged a protest against the proposed establishment of a waste dump yard near Pali village. The demonstration was staged outside the residence of Member of Parliament and Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Krishan Pal Gurjar. Earlier, a maha panchayat was also held to discuss the issue on February 19.

According to a report published in The Tribune, the protesters were stopped by policemen at a distance of around 150 metres before Gurjar’s residence, who then sat on the road and demanded a meeting with the minister. They were told that the minister was not available. But villagers continued their protest for more than two hours, after which their delegation was allowed to meet the minister.

The report mentions that Jitender Bhadana, a spokesperson for the protesters, said that the demonstration was part of the villagers’ agitation over setting up a waste dump yard near their village. He said no relief had been provided despite MP’s assurance during the last meeting. He also alleged that the civic body acquired the village land forcibly many years ago and that the authorities were adamant about setting up the waste dump yard, which would create severe pollution in the area.

The protesters met the minister at 6.30 pm but failed to get any assurance for their demand. They were asked to meet the Municipal Corporation, Faridabad, authorities and the Deputy Commissioner in this connection. The report also mentions that despite a mass protest, the civic body had floated tenders for the project as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned the dumping of waste at the Bandhwari village site after March 31. According to the report, the land has been leased to a private company for setting up the waste dump yard, the sources said.

Bhadana also said the focus should be on the segregation and recycling of waste at the ward level. He said the dumping of waste created an ecological problem as witnessed at the Bandhwari village where water and air had got polluted. 

The proposed waste dump yard is part of the Haryana government's plan to establish a series of such facilities across the state to manage the growing amount of waste generated by its cities and towns. However, the plan has faced opposition from environmentalists and local residents who argue that the dump yards will harm the environment and the health of the local population. The MC had to drop a similar project at Sotai village last year in the wake of a mass protest.