ASI flags waste disposal at a site near burial monument

The Chengalpattu district authorities have stopped the use of a site in Perumbakkam as a temporary dumpyard after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) flagged it to be a part of a prohibited zone associated with a megalithic burial monument.

This follows the suo motu intervention by the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal, which raised concerns over the potential impact on the archaeological site.

Perumbakkam, which falls under the jurisdiction of St. Thomas Mount Block, has experienced rapid urbanisation and population growth, leading to an increase in solid waste generation. 

The panchayat introduced a door-to-door waste collection system, handling approximately 40 tonnes of waste daily. However, due to the lack of a dedicated dumpyard within the panchayat limits, waste was temporarily stored neara waterbody. To avoid contamination of the waterbody, an alternative site was identified, but a communication from the ASI halted its use as it falls within their purview. 

A recent status report filed by the Collector said the panchayat had then proposed the use of another parcel of land, which was cleared of overgrowth, and a temporary pathway for vehicular access had been constructed using debris. However, the ASI again issued a notice indicating that the proposed site fell within a prohibited area under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, due to its proximity to megalithic cists and cairns located in Perumbakkam. Consequently, all activities at the site were immediately stopped.

According to the report, the panchayat has since complied with the ASI’s directives, and no solid waste had been dumped at the site.

The authorities are now looking for an alternative site outside the prohibited zone and have said that further activities will proceed only with the necessary approvals.