Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Sep 3: Villagers in Ullal protested against the planned trash disposal unit of Ullal Municipal Council set-up on the MUDA site in Someshwara. They sent back twenty lorries, carrying trash that had arrived for disposal on Tuesday, September 3.
A large godown covered with sheets had come up a few meters away from Someshwara seashore. The localities were initially told that the place is meant to set up a nursery and nurture saplings. When lorries started disposing garbage, the municipal council told the people that the trash will be disposed temporarily at the MUDA site as Abbakka festival is being celebrated near Mogaveerapatna.
However, trash was disposed repeatedly at the place, since the last one month. There are more than hundred houses, places of worship and lakes here. As the place is close to the sea, tourists in large number visit the place. Stink emanates from the garbage, putting residents in discomfort. The municipal council has not yet responded to the several requests and questions raised by people pertaining to the issue. Therefore, people who were angry sent back twenty lorries loaded with trash.
Second Pachanadi
MUDA in Someshwara is a residential area; it has a history of being a place of spirituality and has a lake. Slaughtered pigs, cattle and chicken are being disposed off here. The municipal council is collecting waste saying that it is a place for waste disposal. The deputy commissioner had once ordered not to throw waste in the sea as ferocious sea waves, during monsoons, throw back filth. The protesters warned that they will resort to violent protests if the council does not act.
MUDA site resident Jaya Kumar said that no project can be taken up in CRZ limits up to a distance of 500 meters. “The dumping godown by Ullal municipal council is illegal and unscientific. It is unfortunate that the council which should protect the health of people is trying to kill people,” he said.
Rohith Santux, representing displaced people said that disposing off decomposed items and waste products in holy place and places of tourist attraction is not right. “People will fall sick because of the garbage menace. Villagers will resort to violent protests if the practice is not stopped,” he said.
Sr Benny said that there are several houses, Aloysian Boy’s Home and temples here. “Dumping waste here has hurt the sentiments of the villagers. Protecting the health of people is the responsibility of municipal council. Do not trouble people,” she advised.
Local resident Jalajakshi said that they purchased a site to lead a peaceful and healthy life. “But the council has not built drainage. People are falling sick with the trash disposal unit. The council when contacted says that the unit is only for separation and not for dumping trash. The project should be discarded and the layout should be used for an eco-friendly project,” she said.
Do not hurt the sentiments of Hindus
Someshwara municipal councilor Raviraj said that the spot is on the way to the holy lake of Somnath deity and Adka Bhagati deities. “The proposed waste disposal unit will hurt the sentiments of Hindus. Three fourth of MUDA site belongs to Someshwara Municipal Council. Local people should have been taken into confidence before setting up the project and after holding preliminary meeting with the people. But starting the unit in the residential area all of a sudden without anybody’s permission is unscientific. Council health officials act arrogantly saying that they will throw trash wherever they like. Give up the project immediately,” he urged.
Taluk panchayat member Ravishanker, Someshwar, Vasanth Someshwar, Pramila, Flavy, Vijayalaxmi, Yogish, Prakash, Chandrashekar, Sandeep, Sriraj, Vanaja, Sangeetha, Sona, Sujata and others were present.
The villagers took into task two health officials Jaishankar and Santhosh who arrived at the venue of the protests. The officials questioned on where else can they throw trash? The villagers hit back and questioned, if the officials would allow people to throw trash in front of their respective houses. “People should segregate waste and dispose it scientifically in their own houses. Dumping the waste of all houses in our area is not fair,” said the villagers.