HC directive to control plastic use at Sabarimala

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A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the Travancore Devaswom Board, Cochin Devaswom Board, Malabar Devaswom Board, Guruvayur and Irijalakuda Kudalmannikkam Devaswoms to take steps to ensure that use of plastic materials for packing were effectively controlled while filling up Irumudi in temples under their control.

The Bench comprising Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice Anu Sivaraman directed that instructions to avoid plastic materials, including bags, could be given in a polite way to pilgrims in the temples.

The court said the biodegradable alternative could be considered for use instead of plastic packing material. The court also asked all district administrations to alert all the Devaswoms about the court’s order.

The court ordered State government and the TDB to make efforts in liaison with their counterparts outside the State to effectively spread the message for avoiding use of plastic packing materials.

The court was of the view that measures should be taken to ensure that plastic did not reach Sabarimala as part of the Irumudi or other material which the pilgrims carry.