Chennai's celebrated Miyawaki forest, located next to the Independence Day park in Adyar, is facing severe neglect and maintenance issues, turning the green lung into a site of civic concern. The facility, which sees a daily footfall of 500 to 600 visitors, is marred by litter, damaged infrastructure, and inadequate cleaning.
Chronic Littering and Infrastructure Decay
The walkways along the Buckingham Canal, adjoining the Kasturba Nagar MRTS station and Canal Bank road, are routinely strewn with plastic bottles, discarded clothes, paper waste, and cups. A cleaning staff member revealed that a staggering 90% of the litter is attributed to residents of the adjacent Canal Bank road, with the remaining 10% coming from visitors who often ignore the dustbins provided.
Adding to the woes, the fence mesh near the main entrance is broken in several sections, allowing stray dogs to enter the premises freely. Empty chips packets and half-consumed bottles are common sights on the uneven pavements, creating both an eyesore and a hazard.
Maintenance Shortfalls and Safety Concerns
While the private firm Tamil Matrimony was handed over the operation and maintenance a few years ago, on-ground reality tells a different story. Supervisor John stated that a team of 20 staff, including those from Independence Park, cleans the area for three hours daily. However, workers confided that cleaning is superficial, focusing only on pavements and dustbins, while litter near compound walls and around plants is largely ignored.
A major safety issue highlighted by residents is the lack of adequate lighting on the approach road. Broken street lights and a persistent foul stench plague the area. D. Balaji, Vice-President of the Kasturba Nagar Residents Welfare Association, warned that the dark zone has become a hub for anti-social activities during late night hours.
Official Response and Promised Action
When confronted about the conditions, an official claimed that up to 55 lakh rupees is spent annually on the forest's maintenance and asserted that authorities are doing their best to keep the premises clean. Promising swift resolution, Adyar Zonal Officer S. Senthil Kumaran assured that all highlighted issues would be addressed within a week.
The situation underscores the challenge of maintaining public green spaces in urban areas despite significant investment. The community awaits to see if the promised week-long cleanup will restore the Miyawaki forest to its intended purpose as a pristine natural retreat in the heart of the city.
