A disturbing photograph of elephants standing amidst piles of garbage in a forested area of Dehradun has gone viral on social media, highlighting a severe environmental crisis. The image, captured in the Raipur area on Friday evening, has ignited public anger and concern over unchecked dumping in forest zones, which residents say is becoming a common sight.
Blame Game and Systemic Failure
Environmentalists and locals point to a complex web of responsibility for the degradation. Doon-based environmentalist Reenu Paul stated that for years, forests have served as an alternative dumping ground for those avoiding municipal user charges. She specifically cited numerous eateries near Raipur Stadium and food vendors who dispose of leftover food, solid waste, and sewage water into the woods.
Local resident Sujit Rawat emphasized that the blame is widespread. He noted that not only tourists, youngsters, or vendors but also many locals are responsible for the degradation in areas like Maldevta, Raipur, and Tapovan. According to him, residents often skip paying waste collection charges and dump garbage indiscriminately, showing indifference despite repeated awareness campaigns.
Jurisdictional Tangle Hampers Action
The core of the problem, experts say, is a lack of clear accountability due to overlapping jurisdictions. The Raipur area falls under a tri-junction of the forest department, the panchayati raj system, and the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC). This fragmentation makes it easy for authorities to shift blame.
Eco-activist Naveen Kumar Sadana warned that this is leading to environmental destruction. He suggested creating a monitored vending zone with proper waste tracking as a solution, stressing that without collective action, the entire forest belt could be destroyed. The unchecked dumping has altered local ecology; experts note that while water birds and cranes have stopped visiting, larger animals like elephants and bears are now drawn by the smell of food waste.
Authorities Respond, Promise Drives and Penalties
Following the outcry, authorities have pledged intervention. Dr. Avinash Khanna, Chief Health Officer of DMC, stated that municipal waste collection is ongoing and assured action against unauthorized dumping by eateries or individuals, with penalties for violators.
Divisional Forest Officer (Mussoorie) Amit Kanwar confirmed the department is aware of the issue and has previously flagged it with the municipal corporation. He emphasized that the problem requires coordinated action. Kanwar announced plans to work with NGOs and eco-groups to conduct cleanliness and awareness drives this month, with penalties for those breaking rules. Regarding the elephant sightings, he clarified the animals were merely passing through and not feeding on the waste, but promised efforts to clean and maintain their movement corridors.
The situation has raised serious alarms about public safety. Reenu Paul linked a recent bear attack in the Thano area to improper waste disposal and disturbance of animal corridors. She urged for immediate, serious action from authorities and eatery owners, cautioning that otherwise, the region could become a hotspot for dangerous human-animal conflicts.
