Nadukani Churam, a critical mountain pass in the Western Ghats connecting Malabar to Ooty and Wayanad, has become a dumping ground for waste, threatening its rich biodiversity and the water sources of millions. A recent cleanup drive by a volunteer team collected over 1,200 kg of waste, including beer bottles, thermocol, and even household items like bed sheets, within just three kilometers.

The pass is not only a major transit route but also the birthplace of the Chaliyar River, which supplies drinking water to Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. Waste dumped here, including sanitary pads and plastic, contaminates the river, leading to unsafe levels of E. coli and other bacteria in the water. Volunteers warn that the accumulated waste could trigger landslides during the monsoon, endangering lives downstream.

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Despite repeated cleanups, the problem persists due to lack of civic sense and weak enforcement. The team calls for strict fines, surveillance, and inter-departmental coordination to prevent further dumping. They emphasize that cleaning alone is not a solution; the only way forward is to stop littering at its source.