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Kochi, Nov 7 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to take immediate steps to ban the sale of chemical kumkum at Sabarimala, citing concerns over environmental degradation during the annual pilgrimage season starting November 17.
A division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and KV Jayakumar issued the direction while hearing a suo motu case based on a report by the Special Commissioner on facilities for pilgrims at ‘edathavalam’ (resting places) during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season of 2025-26.
The court said that in its earlier order dated October 16, TDB, Indian Railways and District Tourism Promotion Council, Kottayam were directed to maintain the facilities of cleanliness, hygiene, food and drinking water at these rest centres.
It had also expressed concern over pilgrims using shampoo in plastic pouches and throwing them near rivers in Erumeli, causing pollution.
The court had then directed the Kottayam district administration to ban plastic pouches in the area.
When the matter was reviewed on Friday, the counsel for Erumeli Grama Panchayat informed the bench that shampoo sachets and other waste continued to be dumped in the Valiyathodu stream.
The lawyer pointed out that the chemical-based kumkum used during the Pettathullal ritual was one of the reasons for the pollution, as participants use detergents and shampoos to wash it off later.
Taking note of the submission, the Division Bench ordered an express ban on the sale of shampoo sachets and chemical kumkum in Pamba and Sannidhanam.
The court also directed the TDB to install nets or check dams across the stream to prevent waste accumulation.
The Cochin and Guruvayur Devaswom boards along with the Chengannur Municipality informed the court that steps were being taken to comply with the earlier orders.
Recording the submissions, the court posted the matter for hearing next week.
–IANS
SG/VD