With the Municipal Corporation elections just days away, residents of tribal hamlets in Aarey Milk Colony have stepped up their demand for an effective garbage collection and disposal system. 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.

Tribal leader Prakash Bhoir said there are around 2700 to 2800 voters in 27 tribal hamlets in Aarey Milk Colony where indigenous residents have lived for generations, yet garbage collection remains a neglected issue.