Miyawaki forest now a dumping ground, Adyar residents seek action

CHENNAI: A Miyawaki forest developed by the Greater Chennai Corporation near Kasturba Nagar railway station in Adyar has become a dumping ground for plastic waste, liquor bottles and household garbage, prompting residents to seek immediate civic intervention.

Residents of Kasturba Nagar and members of the Adyar Kasturba Nagar-South Residents' Welfare Association (AKNSRWA) alleged that people living along Canal Bank Road have been dumping waste inside the fenced urban forest, undermining its purpose as a green lung. Regular walkers said repeated complaints to civic officials over the past few months have yielded little action.

Four years ago, the Corporation created the forest using the Japanese afforestation method - dense native tree species to improve the neighbourhood's green cover. However, residents said the site is now poorly maintained and has become an eyesore.

D Balaji, vice-president of AKNS RWA, said the association welcomed the creation of the forest and the adjoining walking track, but the approach road remains poorly lit, encouraging anti-social activities.

"The forest stretches for about 1.5 km. While the pathway was initially clean and well maintained, untreated sewage has been illegally let into the Buckingham Canal on one side, and garbage dumped inside the forest has created an unbearable stench," he said.

Hema Thirunarayanan, a resident, said over 30 people use the walking track every day, but the forest has been subjected to continuous dumping over the past four months.

"People living along Canal Bank Road are throwing liquor bottles, clothes, plastic and food waste into the dense green space. We urge the Greater Chennai Corporation to remove the waste immediately," she said.

She also requested that the officials exercise caution during the clean-up, as walkers have recently spotted snakes inside the forest.

Workers maintaining the park said they regularly clear waste from the walking path, but littering continues. They also pointed out that some animal lovers feed stray dogs at the walking area, adding to the maintenance challenges.

A Greater Chennai Corporation official said the civic body would undertake the clean-up with the help of firefighters and cleanliness workers, considering the presence of snakes. The official added that measures would also be taken to prevent further waste dumping.