Bamboo Breathes Hope Into Bhalswa: Delhi’s Toxic Landfill Begins Green Transformation Under BJP

Once towering as a grim symbol of Delhi’s waste crisis, the 62-metre-high Bhalswa landfill is now the site of an ambitious green makeover, with authorities hoping to turn the decades-old dump into a living, breathing green zone.

ANI reported that the bamboo plantation drive inaugurated by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta marks a significant step toward ecological restoration of the landfill, which has been overflowing since 2006 despite being declared full nearly two decades ago.

The initiative has already seen 200 bamboo saplings planted, with plans for 54,000 more to follow.

Chosen for its resilience and environmental benefits, bamboo produces “30 per cent more oxygen than most other plants” and demands minimal water—ideal for a site plagued by toxic soil and air pollution.

Lallan Prasad, a long-serving caretaker at the landfill, painted a sobering picture, “Every day, around 350 to 400 trucks bring waste here... Over the years, I’ve seen about 50 per cent of the waste reduced.”

Despite visible reduction, the health of nearby residents remains under strain. “People here suffer from many diseases, but they stay because they have no other option,” he said, expressing cautious optimism about the new government's efforts.

However, the biggest hurdle remains the contaminated soil. “Growing anything here is difficult. But if the bamboo plants survive, it will provide much-needed shade and improve air quality,” Prasad added.

Bamboo plantations offer a sustainable solution for landfill management by stabilising soil, reducing erosion, filtering contaminants, and acting as a carbon sink. Its fast growth and ability to thrive in degraded soil make it ideal for rehabilitating landfills into green spaces.

As Delhi begins to breathe new life into Bhalswa, residents and workers alike hope this green push will finally bring relief, dignity, and renewal to a long-neglected part of the city.