Tribal Families in Manjakudumbu Urge District Admin to Stop Burning Waste

More than 50 tribal families residing in Manjakudumbu village near Hogenakkal have urged the Dharmapuri district administration to put an immediate stop to dumping and burning garbage close to their settlement. Residents stated that smoke and foul odours from the burning waste have been causing severe breathing difficulties and sleeplessness.

According to villagers, plastic and various other forms of waste collected from Hogenakkal are being dumped and set on fire in close proximity to their houses. Whenever the waste is burned, thick smoke engulfs the entire area, leading to respiratory problems among the residents.

The settlement in Manjakudumbu is home to more than 100 residents, including women and children. A resident, M Gomathi, stated that children in the locality are frequently falling ill due to the smoke and are being taken to the nearby government primary health centre for medical treatment.

While many families were previously allotted housing sites by the forest department, several continue to reside in thatched huts. Residents expressed strong concerns that sparks from the burning waste piles could ignite their thatched roofs and cause major fire accidents.

In addition to the garbage disposal issues, residents alleged that their drinking water supplies remain inadequate. They reported that the water supplied to them is often greenish in colour and emits a foul smell.

Social activist K Jeevanandan called for immediate government intervention to address the civic issues by ensuring proper waste management, supply of clean drinking water, and the provision of basic amenities. Villagers warned that if the authorities fail to resolve the situation, they may be forced to leave the settlement and return to the forest areas historically inhabited by their ancestors.