COIMBATORE: Environmental activists have raised concerns over unscientific disposal of seized tobacco products in Coimbatore, after a video circulating in social media showed banned gutka and tobacco products being buried in the Vellalore dump yard along with their plastic packaging. Activists have said while enforcement action to curb the sale of gutka is welcome, burying the seized products may have harmful environmental consequences.Activists and environmental groups have emphasised that the seized items are packaged in non-biodegradable multi-layered plastic (MLP), which prevents natural decomposition and poses severe ecological risks. They warned that burying such waste would lead to hazardous contamination of groundwater resources in surrounding areas.R Manikandan, founder of Kovai Kulangal Padhukappu Amaippu, stated that the concern was specific to the Vellalore dump yard and its surrounding areas, which are grappling with serious environmental issues. “Residents living within a radius of around three to four km have long complained of severe odour. The quality of groundwater in the locality has also remained a cause for concern. Govt departments must follow scientific and environmentally safe procedures while handling seized materials,” he said.He urged the authorities to clarify whether the reported disposal method complied with the guidelines prescribed by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.“If gutka products were buried along with their plastic wrappers, there is also a risk of the material being dug up and misused. Providing round-the-clock security at the disposal site may not be practical, raising further questions about the safety of the method. It should comply with environmental regulations and be disposed of at authorised waste-management facilities through safe and high-temperature incineration,” he said.K S Mohan, secretary of the Kurichi-Vellalore Pollution Prevention Action Committee, raised concerns about the approvals for contraband waste disposal at the Vellalore dump yard. “Usually, police transport seized contraband to a processing facility in Chettipalayam. It is unclear why they opted to bury it, that too without complying with any procedures,” he said.
