Faridabad Aravali ash dump site to get green makeover, NGT told

HPGCL plans a 150-acre Miyawaki forest on reclaimed ash land in Aravalli, aiming for dense native growth to restore ecology and improve air quality.

The Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) has proposed a dense plantation drive across a 150-acre protected site within the Aravalli range, which was previously used as a fly ash disposal site for the now-defunct Faridabad Thermal Power Station (FTPS).

According to officials, previous reforestation attempts in the area often relied on hardy, exotic plant species that did not match the Aravalli’s natural vegetation. In contrast, the proposed Miyawaki project will exclusively use indigenous species to accurately rebuild the region’s natural forest ecosystem. (HT Archive)

In a compliance report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday, HPGCL stated that the reclaimed land of the ash dyke will be transformed into a Miyawaki forest. The site had previously accumulated an estimated 40 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of pond ash. A joint committee comprising technical experts from the Panipat Thermal Power Station and the Divisional Forest Office inspected the site and recommended a phased plantation strategy, alongside exploring sustainable projects to support local infrastructure needs.

A senior HPGCL official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the initiative will help restore the ecological balance of the fractured Aravalli landscape. “The Miyawaki method will ensure dense, native forest growth within two to three years, significantly improving local air quality and groundwater recharge,” the official said, adding that the land’s ownership rights will remain with the corporation.

Forest department officials emphasised that the soil’s health and suitability for vegetation will be rigorously tested first, focusing on pH levels, nutrient content, and potential heavy metal contamination from residual ash.

“Based on the soil test results, we will select resilient, native species for the plantation,” Uyake said. She added that survival rates and growth patterns will be closely monitored during the pilot phase before expanding the drive across the entire 150-acre site. The Forest Department will execute the project as part of its annual plantation targets.

According to officials, previous reforestation attempts in the area often relied on hardy, exotic plant species that did not match the Aravalli’s natural vegetation. In contrast, the proposed Miyawaki project will exclusively use indigenous species to accurately rebuild the region’s natural forest ecosystem.