In the absence of a solution for effective solid waste management system, actions of the past by the Gudalur Municipality is threatening to turn Thorappalli, a neighbourhood near Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), into a dumping yard.Located in the lower reaches of Western Ghats, the Gudalur municipality in The Nilgiris do not have a dump yard of its own.The municipality with 30 wards generate about 19 tonnes of solid waste on an average per day. Though the municipality has stopped dumping waste at Thorappalli now, the wastes dumped in the past are posing a serious threat to the ecology and wildlife in the area.
Being next to MTR, residents have recently come across a number of herbivores scrounging through the garbage piles. A recent incident of elephant herd found near the garbage pile has raised serious concerns among Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Following objections, the civic body stopped dumping waste at Thorappalli and tried to have its own dump yard on 4.5 acres at Selukudi near Devarshola. Residents in and around Selukadi resisted the same and obtained a stay from the National Green Tribunal.This brought conservancy operations to a stand still. Following public outcry, the municipality now has made adhoc arrangements to dump the waste at a private land near Sanishwaran Koil in Upper Gudalur on the outskirts of the town.
When contacted, O. Rajaram, Gudalur Municipal Commissioner, told The Hindu that efforts were on to clear the legal stalemate by getting the stay vacated before the NGT. If all goes as per plans, within a couple of months the dump yard and disposal mechanism would be in place.
Meanwhile, Mr. Rajaram said that the directions by the NGT also included discussions with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to chalk out ways and means to remove the garbage from Thorappalli and to have it scientifically disposed.
Mr. Rajaram also said that when the Selukadi dump yard becomes operation, the local body would sensitise the traders to refrain from dumping the poultry waste at Upper Gudalur and the civic body would make provisions for collecting the poultry waste and get them disposed scientifically.
District Collector P. Shankar told The Hindu that the administration would extend all assistance to the civic body to resolve the issue.
