Alarming that Kerala's waste was dumped in Tamil Nadu: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on Monday slammed the Kerala government for its failure to properly manage solid waste in the State, particularly in the wake of recent reports that biomedical waste from Kerala was illegally dumped in Tamil Nadu [Suo Motu v State of Kerala]..Terming the situation alarming, a Special Bench of Justices Bechu Kurian Thomas and P Gopinath has ordered the State to file a report on this issue by January 10, 2025 when the case will be heard next. "It is an alarming situation that waste generated in Kerala is being disposed in the neighbouring State, that too in a haphazard manner and contrary to the legal requirements," the Court said. .The Bench proceeded to seek reports on this and related issues. The Cochin Corporation has been ordered to file an affidavit on steps taken to clear polluted drains in Kochi and to prevent the the dumping of plastic or other waste in drains, which would inevitably clog up rivers and backwaters. The Local Self-Government authority has been ordered to file an affidavit regarding bulk waste generators - including hospitals - and details of those engaged in the collection and disposal of all types of waste, including biomedical waste. Details have also been sought on the manner in which such waste disposal is tracked. The Court also ordered the amicus curiae to file a brief report on the issue, particularly which drains the State are most polluted. "We request the amicus curiae to submit a brief report on the areas where the attention of the Court must be drawn regarding accumulation of filth, plastic and other waste in the drains," it said..Alarming that waste generated in Kerala is being disposed in the neighbouring State.Kerala High Court.The Court passed the order as part of suo motu proceedings that it had initiated earlier after a fire broke out the Brahmapuram garbage dumping yard of Kochi last year and engulfed the city in a toxic smog. The case brought to the fore the dire state of waste management in Kerala. A special hearing was held in this case today after, reports emerged that biomedical, plastic, food, and mixed solid waste from Kerala was being illegally dumped at six locations in the Tirunelveli district of Kerala's neighbour State, Tamil Nadu..Last week, the southern Bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) had taken suo motu cognisance of the issue, following a report by the New Indian Express dated December 17, 2024, and December 18 reports by other dailies such as The Times of India, The Hindu and Dinamalar.In its December 19 order, the NGT ordered the authorities in Kerala to retrieve the waste by December 23 (today). The matter is slated to be heard again by the NGT today. Following the NGT's December 19 directive, a team led by an Assistant Collector, Albert has been working on removing the waste from such sites in Tamil Nadu, to transport it back to Kerala. Today, the Kerala High Court was also informed that six criminal cases have been lodged in the matter, and that three Malayalis have been arrested..Another issue flagged during today's High Court hearing concerned a food poisoning incident that reportedly took place at the Ernakulam Ponnuruni East Anganwadi, where 12 children experienced vomiting and stomach problems after consuming upma (a dish made from semolina).Initial findings suggested that the water used for preparing the food was contaminated, and that this water was possibly sourced from a tank located near a polluted canal.The Kochi Corporation was directed by the Court to file an affidavit on the issue, while the amicus curiae has been instructed to visit the site and submit a detailed report..[Read Live Coverage]