Date:13/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/13/stories/2008051353720600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Residents hit by indiscriminate dumping of garbage

K. Raju

KODAIKANAL: Indiscriminate dumping of garbage and letting-out of waste water collected from septic tanks in hotels, public places and residences in the town has been posing a grave threat to the health of residents near Shenbaganur area.

People residing in Irdhayapuram, Sahayapuram and other hamlets near the dumping yard are the worst affected.

Local residents complain that children and elders have been struggling a lot, owing to water borne diseases.

The dumping yard attracts stray dogs and breeds mosquitoes, flies and rodents. Indiscriminate discharge of waste water pollutes land.

Earlier, the municipality was using this site near the EB sub-station for dumping urban waste generated in the municipality. Later, the municipality decided to shift the garbage yard to a distant place near Prakasapuram.

With commencement of work on setting up of compost yard, the municipality convinced local people to dump garbage for four months in this area.

It also assured to clean the area after shifting the base. Now seven months have been elapsed.

The municipality had not taken any steps to shift the yard, said local residents. Despite repeated appeals, the municipality neither stops dumping wastes nor sends medical team to check affected persons, they alleged.

“We cannot cross this area. Foul smell emanating from it is unbearable.”

Local people even warned scavenging staff not to dump wastes. But they informed the residents that the municipal officials only directed them to dump waste at this place.

The district administration has directed all municipalities to implement solid waste management scheme immediately for safe disposal of wastes.