Kerala High Court Addresses River Pollution

• Judicial Ruling: The Kerala High Court expressed concern regarding hazardous waste dumping in the Periyar River, specifically noting pollution levels that pose imminent danger to public health. The High Court, led by a Division Bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and M.B. Snehalatha, criticized the lack of cooperation between the Centre and the State in addressing the pollution crisis.

• Constitutional References: The court indicated potential violations related to environmental protection that could implicate provisions under the Disaster Management Act, emphasizing the need for urgent actions to tackle the pollution.

• Pollution Sources: Hazardous chemicals, notably DDT, Benzene Hexachloride, and Endosulfan, were detected at elevated levels in sediment samples collected from Kuzhikandam Creek (a tributary of the Periyar) following a mass fish kill reported on May 20, 2024. The highest concentration of DDT (210.4 mg/kg) was found near the discharge point of Hindustan Insecticides Limited.

• Environmental Impact: The court noted the high sulphate concentration in samples from the creek and its tributaries, as part of an analysis conducted by an expert committee formed to investigate the mass fish kill incident.

• Government Actions: The court ordered the competent authority at the Centre to engage in discussions with the Secretary (Environment) of the Government of Kerala to identify viable solutions for pollution abatement, including exploring alternative sites for effluent treatment.

• Proposed Solutions: An alternative suggestion to rejuvenate Kuzhikandam Creek using existing infrastructure from Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT) was introduced during proceedings.

• Commitment of the Judiciary: The court demonstrated a strong stance against further delays in addressing this environmental issue and underscored the urgency in cleaning up both the Periyar River and Kuzhikandam Creek.

• Expert Committee Findings: The findings regarding pollution levels and hazardous substances were part of the report furnished by the expert committee constituted by the High Court, highlighting the systemic environmental challenges faced in the area, indicative of broader regulatory and environmental compliance weaknesses.

This summary underscores the critical aspects of the environmental case involving the Periyar River, illustrating ongoing judicial oversight and the need for coordinated governmental responses to pollution issues under national laws and environmental protection frameworks.