The National Green Tribunal, Southern Bench, on Tuesday ordered notice to authorities on a plea to stop dumping and burning of garbage at the Sembakkam lake.
Admitting an application filed by four resident welfare associations, including the Sembakkam Civic Welfare Association, the Bench comprising Justice M. Chockalingam and Prof. R. Nagendran directed the Sembakkam Municipality Commissioner and other authorities to file their responses on March 31. The resident welfare associations also sought a directive to the authorities to remove the garbage dumped at the lake, besides restoring the ecology of the area.
The associations said: “The 104-odd-acre lake was once the pride of the area. It is now on the verge of complete decay due to several factors, most importantly, gross negligence and dumping of garbage by municipal workers.” They said almost 20 tonnes of garbage per day were being dumped by the Municipality.
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Stating that the Municipality and some miscreants also routinely set the garbage ablaze, the associations pointed out that the unabated and unregulated dumping of garbage and burning resulted in pollution of the air, water and soil.
The applicants also said numerous representations were made to the authorities, including the Municipality, but no action has been taken till date.