Ggm body orders clean-up of Ghata Urban forest

Despite ₹1.5 crore sanctioned for fencing and infrastructure, large parts of the boundary wall have collapsed or been damaged, allowing illegal entry, timber theft, and waste dumping.

Published on: Apr 14, 2025, 06:30:18 IST

By Leena Dhankhar, Gurugram

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Less than a year after its launch, Gurugram’s first urban forest in Ghata is in disrepair, with illegal dumping, broken fencing, and encroachments turning the 40-acre site into a “neglected dumping ground”. Divisional forest officer RK Jangra said a clean-up has been ordered and boundary repairs will begin soon. “We have directed our teams to clear the waste and repair the fencing. Patrolling will also be increased. However, long-term protection requires public support and responsible civic behaviour,” he said. Officials added that water bodies and grasslands will also be developed inside the forest to support wildlife, especially during summer.

Illegally dumped arbage near Ghata village. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

Despite ₹1.5 crore sanctioned for fencing and infrastructure, large parts of the boundary wall have collapsed or been damaged, allowing illegal entry, timber theft, and waste dumping.

“This was supposed to be a model project for all urban forests across Haryana. But now, Ghata forest looks more like a dumping ground than a green space,” said Joginder Singh, former RWA president of Sushant Lok 2 and 3. Residents from Sectors 56 and 57 said complaints to the forest department have gone unanswered. “Without enforcement, it is at risk of being lost forever,” said Dinesh Kumar.

Activist Vaishali Rana criticised the fencing design, saying it disrupts wildlife movement. She called for an Aravalli Task Force, drone surveillance, and greater public involvement. “Without sustained efforts,” she said, “the forest will be buried under waste.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.