A Miyawaki forest in Chennai's Thiru Vi Ka Nagar (ward 68) has transformed from a green lung into a safety hazard, plagued by litter, alcohol bottles, and poor illumination. The site has become a breeding ground for snakes that slither into nearby homes, residents report.
Residents Voice Concerns Over Neglect
The forest has been neglected for over two years, and residents suspect illegal activities after dark. The area resembles a dumpyard, filled with plastic waste, broken pipes, two-wheelers, pushcarts, bricks, and ice boxes, all locked inside. An auto driver from the locality, S Sekar, stated, "It resembles a dark vacant lot in the evenings. Many people have complained, but I have never seen any official visit the site."
Brinda K, a resident of a nearby apartment complex with 120 houses, reported frequent snake sightings near the children's play area and car parking. "We don't know if it is one snake or several snakes moving around the area near the Miyawaki forest. The residents' welfare association ensures that the grass inside the play area is cut regularly, but it's still scary," she said. "We have spotted snakes near the car parks too. We are scared to send our children out to play. Our house help are scared to dump garbage in the bins," she added, urging the civic body to address their concerns.
Official Response and Planned Actions
Regional Deputy Commissioner (Central) H R Kaushik assured that the issue would be addressed immediately. "I will discuss with the district forest officials and plan maintenance of the site. Snake-catching operations will be carried out with the forest department's help, and a management plan will be drawn up," he said.
Background and Criticism of the Project
Launched with fanfare in 2020 as a much-needed green relief for the city, the project has suffered from poor upkeep, with crores spent on now barren, neglected land. T D Babu, trustee of Nizhal and a member of the District Green Committee, criticized the misuse of Miyawaki forests. "Miyawaki forests are largely misused. They are used as a green carpet under which everything is dumped," he said. The project has been discontinued by the Greater Chennai Corporation, and existing forests continue to face issues.
Climate activist and member of the Chennai Wetland Action Collective, K Raju, suggested alternatives: "Roadside planting, dense forests would be more beneficial. Urban forests must be developed only after consulting the community so that they do not fall into neglect."
