Waste disposal: BBMP hits Forest Department roadblock

The Forest Department is unlikely to grant permission to one of the five new landfill sites that the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has identified.

 The reason: the site at Tammanayakanahalli in Anekal taluk of Bangalore Rural district is adjacent to the Bannerghatta National Park.

 Following directions from the Karnataka High Court, BBMP had identified five landfill sites in Anekal (206 acres), Kallabalu (60 acres), Bidarahalli (50 acres), Sarjapur (94 acres) and Gudibanda (326 acres) to dump garbage.

 Elephants from Tamil Nadu have been traditionally using this route to reach the park via Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

 Hence, the question of allowing a landfill here does not arise, said a senior forest officer who preferred anonymity.

 He said six months ago the BBMP had written to the park officials seeking permission to dump garbage at Munimaranadoddi, another village in Anekal taluk.

 This was rejected on the grounds that it is located in the centre of the forest.

 Besides, the department has installed solar fences and dug elephant-proof trenches to prevent wild elephants from straying into nearby villages.

 “Dumping of garbage inside the forest will pose a health risk to wild animals,” he added.

 The officer said Tammanayakanahalli is located next to the national park and is rich in vegetation, acting as a natural canopy for wild animals.