Escalating problem at a place of worship ignored by Gram Panchayat, say environment activists

The authorities maintaining Chamundi Hill appear to be grappling with an uphill battle against the uncontrollable waste crisis plaguing the place of worship, a prominent centre for religious tourism in the city.

Plastic waste, in particular, has accumulated across the Hilltop, forcing visitors to uncomfortably close their nostrils to escape the unpleasant odour emanating from the discarded refuse.

Upon arrival at the Hill shrine, tourists are met with various types of litter scattered around, showcasing a blatant disregard for the environment. Both the Chamundi Hill Gram Panchayat and the Forest Department (in areas that come under its jurisdiction) seem uncommitted to addressing this long-standing issue, leaving the authorities seemingly indifferent to the problem.

Environmentalists express their frustration at the authorities’ inaction, emphasising the urgency of tackling the waste menace. For example, vendors at the Hilltop sell a considerable number of tender coconuts, reaching up to 1,000 units per day. The discarded coconut shells are left strewn at the parking lot on the Hill.

Temple management takes the load

Despite the lack of initiative from the Gram Panchayat, the Chamundeshwari Temple management authorities have taken it upon themselves to clear the discarded coconut shells, striving to maintain a clean and tidy environment. However, vendors continue to dump coconut shells at the same location, highlighting the persistent nature of the problem.

The issue extends beyond the immediate vicinity of the Temple, as three connecting roads from the Nandi Statue side, Uttanahalli and Devikere are also grappling with the waste menace, indicating a broader problem that demands urgent attention.

Forest Department penalties

On Sept. 1, 2023, the Forest Department initiated a campaign to transform Chamundi Hill into a plastic-free zone. Shopkeepers were explicitly warned of penalties for selling plastic carry bags, with fines set at Rs. 1,000 for the first offence, Rs. 5,000 for the second offence and Rs. 10,000 for the third offence.

The Department went further, threatening to suspend trade licences and seal shops if shopkeepers failed to comply with the directive. An awareness drive was conducted from Sept. 1 to 5, 2023, during which zero fine receipts were issued to offenders, accompanied by warnings of impending penalties.

This initiative gained significant media attention, and as a result, visitors and tourists refrained from bringing plastic carry bags to the Hill. However, the recent discovery of plastic within waste heaps on the Hill has sparked criticism, with some mocking the Forest Department for not specifying actions against plastic waste in its announcements.

In addition to plastic, liquor bottles are strewn across the Hill and used food plates litter the area around Devikere, a lake whose water is still utilised by priests for religious rituals at the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple on the Hill. 

Of grave concern is the presence of stray cattle feeding on plastic, highlighting a distressing lack of commitment from authorities to address a situation that reflects a negligent attitude among officials. The urgency to address these environmental issues remains paramount.

Gram Panchayat must clean waste, prevent dumping, says RFO

The Forest Department has washed its hands off the Chamundi Hill plastic and waste menace and said that the Department has no jurisdiction over the concrete areas of the Hill and it is the responsibility of the Chamundi Hill Gram Panchayat to clean the areas. 

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Chamundi Hill Range Forest Officer (RFO) Dhanyashree said that cleaning waste and preventing the Hill from being a dump yard is the responsibility of the Gram Panchayat. “We only penalise and take action against those who illegally enter the forest areas of the Hill. We also take action against people who unnecessarily park their vehicles on the road from the Chamundi foothill to the top in the wooded areas,” she said.

When asked about the plastic-free zone campaign initiated by the Forest Department in September 2023, the RFO said that the Gram Panchayat must have taken over the campaign and penalised people bringing plastic to the Hill. “We initiated the campaign and we don’t have the resources to continue it and are busy with summer fire-prevention activities. Rather, the Gram Panchayat must have continued it,”  Dhanyashree added.