Aafrin Kidwai 
A view of downtown Kollam City and the famous Ashtamudi Lake
The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has filed a report before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding the treatment of waste at its abandoned dump yard in Kureepuzha, Kollam.
Most recently, the site was inspected on September 8 by a team of KSPCB officers led by the Chief Environmental Engineer, Regional Officer, Thiruvanathapuram.
The report has informed the NGT that the Kollam Corporation has around 16 acres of land in the area, protected by fencing. There are several houses and two temples close to the area, half of which is filled with legacy waste. “The legacy waste could be seen in a large heap covered with creepers and small plants extending to the Ashtamudi lake, a Ramsar site. One of the temples is within 50 meters,” as per the report.
A sanitary landfill, partly constructed, was also seen adjacent to the shed by the officials according to the report. A considerable portion of the partly-constructed sanitary landfill site was in a coastal regulation zone (CRZ) area and hence the work was not completed. Water sampling was conducted in the area near the legacy waste site by the KSPCB officers on September 22, 2020. Water samples were collected from 12 nearby water bodies including wells, temple pond, and Ashtamudi lake.
The results showed that the water quality was improving though the well water at present cannot be used for drinking purposes without conventional treatment and disinfection.
Click here for more information on the background of this controversial dump yard.
