Citizen Connect: Unscientifically converted landfill pollutes Agaramthen ryots’ nearest source of irrigation

Darwin Annadurai, the founder of Eco Society India, said that the municipalities such as Tambaram, Pallavaram and Sembakkam are dumping their garbage in a landfill in Venkatamangalam, which is hardly 100 feet away from Agaramthen lake.

“Toxins from dumped garbage flows into the lake, which is an irrigation source for the farmers in the area. In just a few years, the lake has been severely polluted,” Darwin Annadurai, who works in Tambaram, said.

According to residents, the municipalities started dumping garbage in Venkatamangalam around four years ago and the quality of the lake water started to deteriorate after that. A stream flowing into the lake runs close to the landfill and carries toxins from the garbage.

Darwin added that the government had constructed an incineration plant at the spot, but the facility is not functioning. “Apart from polluting the lake, the landfill is also polluting groundwater. Landfills should be created scientifically so that the toxic could not enter the ground and contaminate water. There is no scientific approach before converting Venkatamangalam as a landfill,” he said.

He pointed out that if the government had followed scientific procedures and formed geothermal layer before converting the area into a landfill, severe pollution could have been prevented.

Meanwhile, some residents in the locality alleged that the municipality workers resort to burning of garbage during summer, when the garbage is dry.

“Due to the smoke, we could not breathe when it was set on fire. Along with smoke, toxic gases entered our respiratory system, affecting our health,” Kumar, a resident said.

Farmers, who are dependent on Agaramthen lake also expressed concerns that the pollution affects agriculture. They also pointed out that the pollution in the area also affects vegetation of the locality.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Public Works Department (PWD) has undertaken the restoration of Agaramthen lake by desilting and deepening the lake. However, PWD officials could not be contacted for comments.