The Nilgiris forest division plans to install smart dustbins at EDC sites

The Forest Department is stepping up efforts to prevent the disposal of plastic waste inside reserve forests and areas bordering important tourist locations.

Officials from the Nilgiris North Division said that since the ban on single-use plastics had come into force, they had stepped up their efforts to clamp down on people dumping waste into the forest areas.

“As the municipalities and local bodies have largely done away with recycling bins across the town, to discourage people from indiscriminately dumping waste and to promote waste segregation, we have seen many instances where people find it easier to just dump waste inside the forest areas,” said officials from the Udhagamandalam municipality, who added that they were working with the Forest Department to identify locations where household waste was being dumped regularly, and action taken against violators.

District Forest Officer, Nilgiris Division, Sumesh Soman, said that the Forest Department had learned of waste being improperly disposed of by local residents near Bandhimai, and though they could not identify the people responsible, the department and the municipality are working together to ensure that forest areas remain free of waste and garbage. “Our forest staff got together to conduct a clean up at the location, while we are also monitoring the area to prevent further dumping,” said Mr. Soman.

The Forest Department was also trying to ensure that popular tourist locations that are managed by the department with the assistance of local communities remain garbage free.

Forest Range Officer, Coonoor Range, K Periyasamy, said that various steps, including a ban on people bringing in plastic pet bottles into certain EDCs, like the one at Dolphin Nose, was in place. “We have also installed more garbage bins to encourage people to properly dispose of litter, while the bins have also been made ‘monkey-proof’ to ensure that the waste does not get scattered by wildlife drawn to them,” he said.

Mr. Soman said that there were also plans to purchase smart dustbins to be placed at all ten Eco-Development Committee (EDC) sites in the Nilgiris division, which will encourage visitors to tourist locations to safely and conveniently dispose of plastic bottles.