Based on a tip off by an environmentalist about the illegal dumping of garbage on the bunds of Valankulam tank, Coimbatore Corporation officials were today directed to clean the waste and stop the dumping here.

According to R Mohammed Saleem, president of the Environment Conservation Group, he found waste, including plastic covers, dumped on the bunds of the lake close to a religious centre. “The bunds of this lake are being continuously used as a dumping and there have been many issues in the past. Since this part of the lake is situated in the interiors, it was not easy to spot it, as the area is not accessible,” he said.

He immediately informed Corporation commissioner K Vijaya Karthikeyan, who directed officials to clear the waste and also to stop the dumping.

Reacting to the incident, Vijaya Karthikeyan said that special whistle blowing system was being followed in some lakes to curb such incidents.

“We can extend it to other areas as well. In the longer run, we also have a construction and demolition waste processing plant coming up, which will ensure that this problem is fully addressed,” he added.