Kerala High Court Forms Expert Committee To Curb Pollution In Periyar River

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A J Desai and Justice V G Arun directed thus:

“The committee shall consist of the Secretary, Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Kerala, the Regional Director, Central Pollution Control Board, Regional Directorate, Bangalore and the Chairman, Kerala State Pollution Control Board.”

The Court passed the above order in petitions filed by activist KSR Menon, Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samidhi, Association of Green Action Force to curb the pollution of the Periyar River. It was alleged that the river is polluted due to the discharge of toxic effluents from industries and Aluva market.

On examining the report and photographs submitted by Amicus Curiae Advocate Ananthakrishnan A. Kartha, the Court assessed the extent of pollution in the Periyar River due to the release of industrial effluents. It stated that the discharge of industrial effluents into the river is hazardous to human beings, flora and fauna.

The Court stated that the Committee, along with the representative of petitioners and Amicus Curiae shall visit the places to study the extent of pollution in and around the Periyar river.

The matter has been posted to July 03, 2024.

Case Title: Association of Green Action Force v Union of India & Connected Cases

Case Number: W. P. (C) Nos. 9534 of 2020, 996 of 2012 & 31236 of 2023

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