Mangaluru: Environmental activists have raised serious concerns over the continuous violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms due to the dumping of soil and debris into rivers around Boloor and neighboring areas. The issue, which has persisted since 2017, has drawn the attention of environmental authorities and activists alike.
National Environment Care Federation (NECF) secretary Shashidhar Shetty revealed that landowners along the riverside have been allowing trucks to dump waste into water bodies, significantly affecting the ecosystem. An inspection by the regional environment department confirmed the illegal activity, identifying areas such as Boloor, Sultan Battery, Fourth Mile near Kuloor Ferry Road, Kudroli, Boloor sea face, and Adyar as hotspots for debris dumping.
Authorities have served notices to individuals found violating CRZ norms. However, Shetty criticized the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) for failing to provide proper facilities for debris disposal despite collecting taxes for the same.
Mangroves in the buffer zones of the Phalguni River have also been destroyed, further exacerbating the ecological damage. “If this continues, the river will shrink into a narrow stream,” Shetty warned.
Raghu, regional director of environment in Mangaluru, stated that the department has been inspecting affected areas and informing urban local bodies to take necessary action. Despite repeated complaints to the district administration and even the National Green Tribunal (NGT), tangible progress remains elusive.
Activists demand stricter enforcement of CRZ norms to protect Mangaluru’s rivers and ecosystems from irreversible damage.
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