PLASTIC WASTE IS A THREAT TO WILDLIFE

PLASTIC WASTE IS A

THREAT TO WILDLIFE

Dumping of plastic and degradable wastes inside the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is posing threat to wild animals and polluting streams that flow through the forest.At present there is no scientific way of collecting the wastes generated in the Vazhathoppe grama panchayat and shops and business establishments dump wastes inside the sanctuary during night. Huge quantity of waste generated in Cheruthoni, Painavu, Thadiampadu and Karimaban town is dumped inside the forest.The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is home to elephants, sambars and wild dogs. Sources said that as many as 20 sambar deer had died after swallowing plastic. Post-mortem reports confirmed the presences of plastic in the intestine of these animals.

Animals face acute shortage of fodder and water in the core areas and they come out in search of food especially during summer. They eat plastic bags with food wastes that are dumped in the forest.Though the Vazhathope grama panchayat had set up a waste treatment plant in 2005, it is not functioning any more and wastes were being unscientifically burnt near by. It is alleged that the wastes generated in the nearby towns are taken in vehicles and dumped in the forest. Though the sanctuary had planned systematic collection of wastes on the roadside and inside the forest with the participation of the student community, it was yet to be implemented.

Prof. John Kurakar