Kottayam: Sabarimala is facing threats not only on the security front, but also from the mounting waste accumulating at Sannidhanam and Pampa due to the absence of proper processing facilities. Waste will remain a burning issue during the Mandalam season that begins on November 16.
Food waste is dumped in a pit near the incinerators by lakhs of pilgrims converging there leading to pollution and health issues, according to sources from the Pollution Control Board, Pathanamthitta.
Though three incinerators exist at Sannidhanam to treat waste materials, these have proved to be inadequate.
The waste is often burnt leading to air pollution. Two incinerators at Sannidhanam have the capacity to dispose of 200 kg of waste per hour and the other has a 300-kg capacity.
According to the PCB, 20 to 25 tonnes of waste is generated every week during Makaravilakku at Pampa and Sannidhanam.
"Huge quantities of waste have accumulated in the pit near the incinerator. The devaswom board should provide facilities like bio-gas plants/ bio-composters or Thomboormoozhi- model aerobic composting facilities to solve the issue and save the forest and wildlife," Mr Alexander George, PCB environment engineer, told DC.
The wild animals which reach the area consume plastic along with the food materials. A cow elephant died last year because of this.
The transportation of waste is disrupted due to the pilgrims' presence on the pathway. There is no sufficient number of waste bins along the route to Sannidhanam. A new pathway for tractors is urgently needed to transport waste, it is felt.
