Koothatukulam turns into a waste dumping yard

KOOTHATUKULAM: The paddy fields and streams in and around Koothattukulam have become a dumping ground for toilet waste, which is choking the whole region. With the onset of monsoon expected in a few days, the residents feel that it could lead to several health problems. According to the local people, there is a lobby behind the dumping of toilet waste in the paddy field. They said that the toilets are cleaned during the monsoon season and those who are engaged in cleaning the toilets usually dump the septic waste at open places and agricultural lands. Vadakara, Valliyapadam, Kakkoor and Onnakoor are the regions that have been worst hit by the toilet waste. M M George, a local resident and also a board member of the Kakkoor Service Cooperative Society, said that the area is facing severe health problems owing to the dumping of toilet waste. “Every year, before the onset of monsoon season, toilet cleaning agents are active. As they don’t have sufficient place to dump waste in the city, they prefer the city outskirts. It is mostly during the night that they dump the waste,” he said.  S Sreenivasan, another resident said that the real problem will be visible in the coming days and can affect the whole city. “Tanker lorries are also taking water from the streams where the toilet waste is being dumped,” he said.  “Though the authorities were intimated about the ongoing issue, no initiative has been taken to address it,” he added.Koothattukulam panchayat president Beena Thomas said that they have informed the police about the situation. “The action against the waste dumpers should be taken by the district administration and we have asked them to take the necessary steps,” she said.