Taking suo moto notice of reports about the high level of contamination in the water in the River Periyar, the Keraka High Court has sought reports from bodies like the State Polluitoon Control Board and the Water authority.
The single Judge bench of the Kerala High Court presided by Justice Devan Ramachandran observed that many reports suggested that despite COVID 19 Lockdown, there was high level of contamination of river Periyar. The bench however treated two reports appearing in the Indian Express and Times of India as part of the proceedings.
Having regard to the serious consequences of pollution of the river, the bench said “We are spurred to suo motu address this issue, since the pollution of river Periyar can cause extremely deleterious consequences to our State – it being the one with the largest discharge potential, providing water to major towns and cities.”
Additional Advocate General, Renjith Thampan appearing for the State submitted that though there have been some reports regarding the widespread pollution of the river, but a final call on this matter could be taken only after proper scrutiny.
Advocate T. Naveen, Standing Counsel for the Pollution Control Board, sought time to file reply. The bench has listed the matter for next hearing on April 24 with strict instructions to the State Pollution Control Board to take immediate steps to prevent further contamination of the river.
-India Legal Bureau