Kerala High Court Suggests Vesting Single Authority With Charge To Maintain Cleanliness Of Periyar River

The Kerala High Court today suggested that a single authority could be vested with the responsibility of maintaining the cleanliness of Periyar river and to ensure that the river runs pure.The Division Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M.B. Snehalatha has directed the State government to come with a proposal by taking suggestions from the report placed before the Court by an expert committee which was constituted by it. Court ordered, “ As a matter of suggestion, various inputs have come from the Bar during the hearing, from the petitioners as well as from the respondents and others that if it is viable to have an authority in charge of Periyar as a whole and not in units as now it is being done. It would bring viable changes for protection of its future flow…we are aware that in the case of river Ganges, such experiments have borne fruit…While thinking about an authority as we are now proposing, it will require government to come up with sufficient safeguards and protections and in formulation of policy.”The Court was hearing cases filed by activist KSR Menon, Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samidhi, Association of Green Action Force to curb the pollution of the Periyar River. Periyar is one of the longest rivers in Kerala and it is the primary source of water for many cities, including Kochi.The petitions were filed alleging that pollution was caused from industrial affluents from industries and Aluva market. It was alleged that the Central Pollution Control Board or the Kerala State Pollution Control Board have not taken appropriate steps to curb the pollution in and around river. It was also stated that the industrial affluents discharged into the river were dangerous to human beings, and to the flora and fauna.Through its earlier orders, the Court had sought monitoring the industries the industries located in the upstream portion of the Periyar river. It had also taken steps to identify the authorities who were responsible for maintaining the Periyar river clean. The Court had earlier noted that there is a lack of clarity as to which authorities were vested with the responsibility of maintaining the river clean. Case Number: WP(C) 996/ 2012 & Connected MattersCase Title: Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samithi v State Of Kerala & Connected Matters

Kerala High Court Suggests Vesting Single Authority With Charge To Maintain Cleanliness Of Periyar River

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