Kerala High Court bans sale of plastic shampoo sachets, chemical kumkum in Sabarimala

The Kerala High Court on Friday ordered a ban on the sale of plastic shampoo sachets and chemically manufactured kumkum in and around Sabarimala, Pamba, and Erumeli during the upcoming Mandalam–Makaravilakku pilgrimage season [Suo Motu v State of Kerala & ors].

The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar issued the direction while hearing a suo motu case concerning facilities provided for Sabarimala pilgrims.

The Court took note of a submission by counsel representing the Erumeli panchayat that pilgrims frequently discarded shampoo sachets and other plastic waste along the roads and river streams in Erumeli.

It proceeded to order a ban on such plastic shampoo sachets to prevent such pollution in areas in and around Sabarimala.

"We find that there should be an express prohibition on the sale of shampoo sachet at kutthakas, at Pamba and sannidhanam and no person should be permitted to sell shampoo sachets, which includes in plastic covers," the Court said.

It also directed that protective barriers or nets be placed across the river streams in Erumeli during the Sabarimala season to trap and collect discarded shampoo sachets and other debris, to curb water pollution.

The Court further took note of submissions highlighting environmental damage caused by the use of chemically prepared kumkum.

Traditionally, kumkum (a powder that may be applied to one's forehead and is often used for Hindu rituals, including the 'Pettathullal' in Sabarimala) was made from natural ingredients such as turmeric, but is now largely synthetic.

The Court observed that the chemical content in the modern versions of kumkum compelled devotees to use strong shampoos and detergents to remove it, which could also aggravate water pollution.

The Court, thus directed a ban on the sale of such synthetic kumkum.

"We direct the Travancore Devaswom Board to initiate steps to ensure that the selling of chemical kumkum is banned in the area so that substantial damage to the environment can be avoided," the Court ordered.

During today's hearing, the Court was also informed that a joint inspection had been conducted in Erumeli by the Internal Vigilance Officer, the enforcement squad, and the health inspector, which revealed a large accumulation of solid waste in the Valiyathodu stream near the Shastha temple, which had caused stagnant water and unhygienic conditions.

Following the inspection, the Erumeli Grama Panchayat removed the waste and brought to the Court's notice that silt accumulation in the Valiyathodu stream still required attention.

The Bench directed that the Executive Engineer of the Minor Irrigation Department, Pathanamthitta, be impleaded as an additional respondent and instructed the department to conduct an inspection immediately and take immediate steps to remove the silt.

Among other developments, the Guruvayur Devaswom Board informed the Court that a separate queue for Sabarimala pilgrims has been arranged at the Keezhadam temple.

The Travancore Devaswom Board, which maintains 52 Edathavalams (resting spaces) along the pilgrimage route, was directed to file a consolidated report detailing the steps taken to implement the Court's earlier directions to ensure all facilities for the pilgrims are in place.

The Court also noted that police pickets and prepaid transport counters for autorickshaws and taxis had been set up near major railway stations to facilitate pilgrims.

The matter will be taken up again for hearing next week.

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