The dumping of construction debris and unauthorised light fittings on beaches is on the rise.
On Monday, debris was found dumped on Palavakkam beach where illegal light fittings have also been set up on the sands. Such eyesores are likely to disrupt the nesting of turtles this season which begins in December.
Even as councillors are claiming that construction debris was only being dumped by local fishermen for levelling the ground, environment activists blame the Chennai Corporation for the condition.
“We used construction debris to level the ground near roads to facilitate the parking of vehicles. This will help visitors park. But, we do not permit dumping of debris on the beach sands,” said Corporation Councillor Viswanathan.
Environmental activists said the Corporation continues to tamper with the beaches by permitting dumping and commissioning light fittings. “Four streetlight lamp posts have been set up on the beach sands on the southern portion of Palavakkam beach along the inter-tidal zone,” said Nityanand Jayaraman, environmental activist.
“Construction debris is usually dumped by the Corporation. Solid waste management of debris is the responsibility of the Corporation,” he said.
An official said dumping of debris near waterbodies was prohibited. But, the Corporation is yet to solve the problem reported in the newly-added zones, which Palavakkam falls under. The Corporation had said a while ago that construction debris would be sold but the scheme does not seem to have taken off.
