Team Herald
VALPOI: The accumulation of garbage in the forest area of Redeghati, Valpoi, has left many residents shocked and questioning the role of forest officials in protecting local biodiversity.
On Monday, workers from a private company were seen cleaning the site filled with waste, including discarded hospital syringes and expired medications.
The presence of garbage in this forested area has raised serious concerns about its environmental impact. Residents are particularly alarmed by the negligence of authorities in managing waste disposal, as well as the irresponsible behavior of individuals who frequently dump their trash in the area.
Residents allege that some individuals dispose of their waste under the cover of darkness to evade detection by authorities. In response to the issue, they are urging the municipal and panchayat authorities of Valpoi and Maushi respectively, to take decisive action, as the entire stretch falls under their jurisdiction.
A woman collecting waste at the site reported that her team cleans the area once a week. “We collect waste up to 20 metres from the edge of the road, gathering about 40 to 50 bags of garbage each week,” she informed. She is part of a team deployed by the Bengaluru-based Karnataka Commercial and Industrial Corporation (KCIC) Pvt Ltd, which was awarded a beach cleaning contract by the Department of Tourism in 2019, with an extension granted last year until a new contractor is appointed.