Mumbai: Illegal dumping of debris, garbage threatens Aarey Eco-Sensitive Zone

Illegal dumping of soil and rock debris within the jurisdiction of Aarey Milk Colony, adjacent to JVLR. Pics/By Special Arrangement

Unauthorised dumping of construction debris, garbage, and soil continues to threaten the Eco-Sensitive Zone inside Aarey Milk Colony. On June 30, at 11.30 am, Assistant Security Officer Vijay Bhagoji Wagh and his team discovered six to seven dumper loads of waste on government land adjacent to the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR).

Following a site verification by Aarey Milk Colony's Chief Executive Officer Shrikant Shirpurkar and a formal panchnama with two independent witnesses, the administration ordered strict legal action.

OfficialSpeak

An Aarey CEO office official,
‘During patrolling, when our team reached the spot, they found that around six to seven dumpers of debris, including garbage and soil, had allegedly been dumped on government land within the Aarey Milk Colony jurisdiction by unknown persons.'

Police action

Pursuant to an administrative directive issued on July 16, 2026, an FIR was registered at the Aarey Milk Colony police station on August 10. Filed under Section 329(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against unidentified persons, the investigation remains in progress to trace the offenders operating without valid permissions.

Strict monitoring

Stalin D, Environmentalist, NGO Vanashakti
‘Movement of dumpers inside Aarey must be stopped completely or at least from 5 pm to 10 am. We already have a situation where three lakh tonnes of debris were dumped along Mithi River in Aarey, and the case went to the National Green Tribunal. Boards announcing this restriction must be put up. Informers who can provide GPS-tagged photos of dumpers inside Aarey must be rewarded financially, and their names kept confidential. CCTV cameras at every junction are a must, and Aarey police should have a control room to monitor these vehicles. We see patrol cars stopping couples, but we are yet to see cops seize any vehicle engaged in illegal dumping.'

Impacts of debris dumping

Soil damage: Debris alters soil quality, buries natural vegetation and affects regeneration
Water pollution: Rain can carry cement, chemicals and other pollutants into drains and water bodies
Flooding risk: Debris can block natural drainage channels, worsening waterlogging amid rain
Wildlife threat: Destroys habitat, disrupts animal movement and can push wildlife to human areas
Long-term impact: Persistent construction waste degrades the landscape and makes natural restoration difficult

[popcorn number="June 30" desc="Day when 6-7 dumper loads of waste were found near JVLR" class="Default"]