Plastic-free zone or plastic dump yard?

A wake-up call for Chamundi Hill area

Sir,

Even as the forest area around Chamundi Hill has been declared a ‘plastic-free zone’, the ground reality along the Chamundi Hill Main Road presents a stark contrast.

Stretches on both sides of the road, including those passing through forest areas, are strewn with plastic waste (empty water bottles, carry bags, disposable plates and spoons), marring the landscape.

Chamundi Hill is not just a tourist spot but a place of deep spiritual significance, revered as the abode of Goddess Chamundi, the guardian deity of Mysuru. The prevailing neglect and pollution stand in sharp contrast to its sanctity and natural beauty.

While environmental awareness campaigns across the world emphasise the simple practice of carrying back one’s waste, such civic responsibility is often missing here, with littering continuing unchecked.

Though several service organisations conduct periodic clean-up drives, their efforts are undermined by the steady flow of waste left behind by visitors.

There is an urgent need for both public awareness and stricter enforcement.

Authorities must step up action against offenders, including imposing fines, to curb irresponsible behaviour.

Preserving the ecological and spiritual integrity of Chamundi Hill is a shared responsibility and calls for greater awareness, discipline and respect from all stakeholders.

– P. Rajan, K.C. Layout, 25.4.2026

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