India, June 19 -- Extensive dumping of garbage, including large quantities of biomedical waste, across forested stretches of Katraj ghat has triggered environmental and public health concerns, prompting plans for a large-scale cleanup drive involving citizens, activists, civic authorities and the forest department.

Vikrant Singh, founder of the citizen-led initiative, Inquilab Jaitay, said, "The Katraj ghat forest is being treated like an open dumping ground. Thousands of kilograms of garbage have been dumped there, including biomedical and medical waste. We have identified 52 chronic dumping spots within a 5 km stretch. Medical waste is scattered across the forest, creating a serious threat to wildlife, the environment and public health...