The influx of tourists to Munnar hill station surged following the implementation of e-pass regulations for tourists entering Nilgiris and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. However, the dumping yard in Munnar remains a pressing concern as it poses a threat to the local wild elephant population often wander into the yard consuming the hazardous non-segregated plastic waste.
Thodupuzha-based wildlife photographer Arun Raj Pillai described encountering three wild elephants, including the tusker Padayappa, feeding on waste within the yard. “There’s a massive amount of non-segregated waste dumped here,” Pillai sasid.
Balachandran V., vice president of Munnar panchayat, acknowledged the waste management challenge and emphasised their efforts to address it. “Following the implementation of e-pass systems in Kodikkanal and Ooty, Munnar gained in the number of tourists. Unfortunately, some tourists discard food waste along roadsides exacerbating the issue,” he said.
