Home / Environment / Nilgiris Cleans Up: 578kg Waste Gone Before Pongal!
Nilgiris Cleans Up: 578kg Waste Gone Before Pongal!
18 Jan
Summary
- Over 570 kg of waste was removed from 188 villages.
- The clean-up drive occurred just before the Pongal festival.
- Activists urge camera surveillance and fines for waste dumping.
In a significant environmental effort, local bodies in the Nilgiris district successfully cleared over 578 kg of compostable and non-biodegradable waste. The two-day clean-up, held on January 12 and 13, 2026, spanned 188 villages across 13 panchayats, preparing the area for the Pongal festival.
Following the drive, local authorities urged residents to refrain from littering in public areas and reserve forests. Concerns have been raised by activists regarding persistent waste dumping by both individuals and businesses, including resorts, often attributed to a perceived lack of enforcement.
To combat this ongoing issue, activists are advocating for the installation of surveillance cameras in known dumping hotspots and the imposition of fines on offenders. They also propose establishing waste collection centers in major towns and villages as an alternative to the current door-to-door system, which faces challenges with resident availability.
