Plastic waste dumped near Sabarimala catastrophic for wildlife: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently flagged concerns over the improper disposal and accumulation of plastic waste near the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple. .A Division Bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and Muralee Krishna S observed that the area around the famed temple and its pilgrimage path is situated in a critical biodiversity hotspot of the Western Ghats and is also a part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. If animals were to consume waste products dumped in the area, it could be catastrophic, the Court observed. "The consumption of plastic and jaggery bags by elephants is catastrophic from the point of view of wildlife management," the Court said. .The Court took into account a report by the Deputy Director, Periyar Tiger Reserve (West Division), which stated that due to the Travancore Devaswom Board's failure in managing waste collection and disposal, elephants have been eating garbage, which includes plastic and other toxic materials."The herds of elephants include as its members, calves and sub adults. The dung of the elephants showed remnants of the plastic waste. In the said report, it is stated that other wild animals including monkeys (Bonnet Macaque, Niligiri Langur, Lion Tailed Macaque), Malabar Giant Squirrel, Sambar Deer, Mouse Deer, Barking Deer, Porcupine, etc. and birds including endangered species of birds like Nilgiri Fly Catcher, Great Indian Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, etc., are seen by the Forest officials as consuming waste materials from these areas," it further noted. .The Court made these observations while considering a matter it took up suo motu based on a report by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner on the accumulation of plastic waste near the incinerators at Sabarimala Sannidhanam, and the threat posed by it to wild animals.The Court also took note of various photographs which showed elephants near areas piled with plastic waste. .The Assistant Engineer (Environmental), Sabarimala Development Project, informed the Court that hotel owners were not segregating waste, and some even continued to use single-use plastic bags. It was also submitted that a significant quantity of single-use plastic comes from irumudikettu, a traditional bundle carried on the head by Sabarimala pilgrims. Each irumudikettu contains approximately 20 grams of plastic from rose water bottles, turmeric, camphor, kumkum and bhasma covers, generating nearly 1.4 tons of non-recyclable plastic waste per day, the Court was told. .The Court, therefore, issued the following directions to tackle the risks posed by plastic waste in the area:- Deputy Director, Periyar Tiger Reserve (West Division) shall proceed under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, against those responsible for unscientific dumping or open burning of solid waste including plastic waste, plastic jaggery bags and other non-biodegradable waste generated during Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season.- Kuthaka holders (those having right to sell goods at Sabarimala) of hotels and light refreshment stalls at Sabarimala Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal and at the trekking path from Pamba to Sannidhanam who fail to segregate food and plastic waste into biodegradable bags for disposal, or who directly dump mixed waste into food waste pits shall be proceeded against as per law. - If a kuthaka holder in the said areas stocks or dispenses plastic in any form, for the first offence a fine of ₹2,000 has to be levied by the Forest officials and for the second offence, a ₹5,000 fine shall be levied. The Travancore Devaswom Board, through the Sabarimala Executive Officer shall close down the establishment of the kuthaka holder who commits such an offence for the third time.- The ban on the use of plastic and other biohazardous materials in these areas in terms of previous orders of the Court, shall be implemented scrupulously by all concerned. - The Travancore Devaswom Board shall inform pilgrims of the requirement to exclude plastic materials in the irumudiekettu. An advisory to that effect shall be published on the Virtual-Q platform.- Travancore Devaswom Board shall consider the suggestions made by the Assistant Engineer (Environmental) for improved solid waste management at Sabarimala, in consultation with the Kerala State Pollution Control Board and the Deputy Director, Periyar Tiger Reserve (West Division), and take an appropriate decision without any delay..[Read Order]