Present status report filed by the Deputy Collector, Palakkad in the matter of K M Sanjeev Vijayan Vs The Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala & Others dated August 17, 2023. The matter related to the dumping yard of the Ottapalam municipality located in Panamanna ward not complying with environmental laws and causing pollution.

Biodegradable waste are treated by decentralised method. Homes in municipalities are provided with bio gas plants, bio bins, pipe composts and ring composts. Two centralised Thumboormozhi model compost boxes are provided but they are not functioning properly. Sample was collected from the stream flowing beside the dumping yard and found that there was no leakage from the dumping yard to the stream. The clearing of the legacy waste was done by an agency from Kozhikode.

The clearing of the dumped waste was done manually without using any mechanical means like trommels or dusters. The separated plastic waste was boiled and transported to cement kilns and other remains deposited in the dumping area and levelled. About 980 tonnes was cleaned and waste of around 2000 tonnes is remaining. During an inspection conducted by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board officer, no bio mining activities were seen.