With the civic body elections on, residents of tribal hamlets in Aarey Milk Colony have stepped up their demand for an effective garbage collection and disposal system, stated our report. The absence of regular waste collection has made garbage management a major challenge, often forcing residents to dump waste outside their settlements. Locals warn that the mounting trash is increasingly threatening the surrounding forest ecosystem and wildlife.

The BMC collects waste from slum pockets in Aarey, but these hamlets are ignored, a local stated in our report. A site visit by mid-day revealed garbage dumped at multiple locations outside hamlets due to the absence of public dustbins in proximity. In contrast, garbage bins have been installed outside slum pockets in Aarey, from where the BMC collects waste daily.