Clean-up drive begins on Marudhamalai hill in Kovai

A clean-up drive to remove heaps of accumulated garbage near the parking area on Marudhamalai hill in Coimbatore began on Sunday, a day after a video on X highlighting the longstanding waste disposal problem. The garbage was emitting a foul odour and affecting the experience of devotees visiting the hill temple. A senior official of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department said the department had been instructed by higher officials to clear the accumulated waste following the video. The clean-up drive was expected to be completed within a week. The department was also planning to fence the area near the parking lot to prevent further dumping, the official said.
The problem had persisted for years and nearly 100 tribal families living on the hill also dumped waste in the area. The department had previously attempted to organise large-scale cleaning drives with the support of non-governmental organisations and volunteers, but the Forest Department had not granted permission for the initiative, the official said.
Around 200 kg of waste is generated daily at the temple. About 20 staff members are engaged in maintaining the premises clean, and the collected waste is handed over to the Coimbatore Corporation for disposal, according to temple sources.
At the foothills, Somayampalayam village panchayat has established a plastic waste collection centre. Devotees and vehicles proceeding uphill are checked, and visitors are advised against carrying disposable plastic products to the temple.