HC seeks report on garbage dumped in Kodai reserve forest area

Madurai: Madras high court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) authorities to conduct an inspection and file a report on a plea seeking a direction to the authorities to remove the garbage illegally dumped in the reserve forest area in Prakasapuram in Kodaikanal, Dindigul district.A division bench of justice N Sathish Kumar and justice M Jothiraman passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation filed by M Karan.The petitioner stated that large-scale dumping and accumulation of solid waste in a landfill site near Perumalmalai by the Kodaikanal municipality resulted in the overflow of garbage into the forest area and Shola forest in Prakasapuram. The waste includes plastics and decomposed organic matter, which remain unprocessed and exposed to natural elements.This results in toxic chemicals leaching into the streams, which ultimately meet a river downhill. These streams are not just the source of drinking water for the people of Perumalmalai village but also for the wild animals. Accumulation of such waste in steep-sloped terrain significantly increases overburden pressure on fragile soil strata, reduces slope stability, and generates toxic leachate. Nearby villages, namely Shenbaganur, Naidupuram and Vilpatti, and their surrounding areas are dependent upon local groundwater. He stated that Kodaikanal municipality has grossly violated its duties and responsibilities as provided under Rule 15 of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. There is no land allocated for setting up solid waste processing and treatment facilities. The consumption of plastic and contaminated waste materials may cause internal injuries, poisoning, infection and death among wild animals, thereby disturbing ecological balance and increasing human-wildlife conflict.He stated that he submitted a representation to the authorities seeking to conduct a joint inspection by the district administration and TNPCB for removing the solid waste intruding into Kodaikanal forest areas and to constitute an expert committee to evaluate landslides and to fix responsibility on the municipality by imposing environmental compensation under the polluter pays principle. However, no steps were taken.Hence, the petitioner moved court.