NEWS

Residents of various villages around Kuthambakkam, near Poonamallee, on May 27, 2009staged a demonstration against the proposal to set up compost yard, meant to handle waste generated in five local bodies, in Kuthambakkam. Apart from those of
Kuthambakkam, residents of neighbouring villages, including Chembarambakkam and Pazhanjur, participated in the protest, carrying placards and raising slogans against the project. According to the proposal, the local bodies of Ambattur, Maduravoyal, Valasaravakkam, Poonamallee and Thiruverkadu would be sharing the compost yard. The villagers complained that the move would not only pollute the environment but also affect the livelihood of over 5,000 families in the surrounding areas. They said the earmarked site is lush green with eucalyptus trees and served as a grazing land for cattle of six villages. Citing Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board’s reply to an application made under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, he said the members of the Board’s municipal solid waste management monitoring team had noted that the site may not be suitable for establishing such a facility, as it is surrounded by industrial units, villages and drinking water sources.