Bannerghatta turns into a garbage bin

Bannerghatta turns into a garbage bin
By Subhash Chandra N S, DH News Service, Bangalore:
Space always has been a problem for the BBMP when it comes to dumping the Citys solid waste.


But now, some Palike contractors have found a convenient place to unload the waste including hazardous bio-medical waste: the fringes of the Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) at Talaghattapura, jeopardising the Park’s wildlife.

Five years ago, Guttepalya was a lovely village with all the trappings life on the margins of a forest. Occasional sighting of wild beasts was not unusual.

The smell of wilderness was literally in the air. But Guttepalya now reeks of the stench of garbage as BBMP contractors have been dumping heaps of solid waste in the village despite protests by villagers. Besides posing a threat to the wildlife, the dumps have become a major health hazard for the villagers of Tharlu Estate, Gopalapura and Guttepalya. “Every day at least 30 lorries arrive here to dump the waste. We protested several times in vain. Some farmers are being paid to allow the dumping,” said Pratap R, an artist who owns a farm here.
Ragi and vegetables used to be grown in the agricultural fields in the vicinity of the park. But frequent elephant raids resulted in the lands lying fallow for a few years now. Garbage dumping, while endangering the majority, have kept a small minority happy: Some vested interests are paid Rs 200 every day for permission to dump the waste. The waste is dumped on farm and government lands.

According to local residents, the lorries shuttling to and fro have driven away rare animals like sambar, dholes (wild dogs) and wild boars. Replacing them are diseased canines from the City. Wild birds like peacock and grey jungle fowls are gone, and scavengers like crow and pariah kites fly down regularly on the dumps.

“We used to frequently see dholes (wild dogs) chasing sambars and chitals. It has been more than three years since we last sighted a chital,” said Ruthna Swamy, a resident. Protests by the villagers have not changed things.
“We dug the road to prevent the movement of the trucks, but they cover them and come back. We even approached the Lokayukta, but to no use. A complaint has also been lodged with the Talaghattapura police,” said Venugopal Reddy, who owns a brick kiln here.

Forest department officials and staff, who come to chase away the straying elephants, have not been of much help either. Trucks laden with garbage pass right through the Talaghattapura Range Forest Officer’s office on Kaggalipura road.

When Deccan Herald brought the matter to the notice of Dr Sharathchandra, Chairman, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), he said necessary action would be taken to stop the dumping.