The Kerala High Court has issued a set of comprehensive directions to address the persistent problem of cloth dumping in the Pampa River by pilgrims during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season. The Court initiated the proceedings after receiving a report from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner highlighting the large-scale accumulation of discarded garments along the banks of the river and on the steps leading down to it. Despite permission being granted for cleaning activities, the authorities had failed to effectively remove the dumped clothes, resulting in continued pollution and environmental degradation.
Photographs placed before the Court showed piles of clothes floating on the river’s surface and scattered across the riverbank. The Bench observed that such dumping causes serious and cumulative ecological damage. Cotton garments, once absorbed with water, sink to the riverbed and obstruct natural water flow, creating stagnant patches. This stagnation leads to reduced levels of dissolved oxygen, affecting aquatic life and contributing to fish deaths. The slow decomposition of fabric fibres increases the biochemical oxygen demand and turbidity of the water. These effects are compounded by the obstruction of natural drainage channels, the proliferation of invasive vegetation, and the erosion of riverbanks.
The Court noted that the practice of discarding clothes into the river was not connected to any religious ritual but was based on prevailing misconceptions. It observed that the act of dumping garments after bathing in the river tarnished the sanctity of a site regarded as holy and contradicted the ideals associated with pilgrimage. The Bench stressed that allowing such waste to accumulate was a violation of both environmental norms and spiritual values.
To address the issue, the High Court issued detailed instructions for immediate implementation by the Travancore Devaswom Board, the police, and other authorities responsible for managing the pilgrimage area. These directions included issuing clear announcements to pilgrims informing them that dumping clothes into the Pampa River is prohibited and harmful. Such announcements were to be made at bus stands, KSRTC stations, and queue complexes. Visual boards conveying the prohibition were to be placed at all entry points to the riverbanks. The Court also ordered the installation of garment disposal bins at 50-metre intervals along the riverbank, supported by colour-coded signage.
A dedicated workforce was to be deployed, including employees appointed under the kuthaka arrangement, staff from the Travancore Devaswom Board, environmental volunteers, and police personnel. These teams were tasked with guiding pilgrims, ensuring proper disposal of garments, and intervening directly when necessary. Continuous audio announcements were to be broadcast using handheld speakers throughout the Pampa stretch to remind pilgrims of the prohibition.
The Court further directed the installation of CCTV cameras every 50 metres to deter violations and ensure accountability among staff. Volunteers were entrusted with the responsibility of directing pilgrims carrying garments to the designated disposal bins. A round-the-clock monitoring mechanism was to be established, functioning in three shifts, with a rapid-response team of ten members designated to patrol the area and clear any dumped clothes immediately.
The Bench expressed confidence that the full implementation of these measures during a single pilgrimage season would bring about a significant reduction in cloth dumping, improving water flow, lowering pollutant levels, reducing fish mortality, and restoring cleanliness to the riverbanks. The Travancore Devaswom Board was directed to implement the measures without delay and to file a compliance report within ten days. The matter was posted for further review on a later date.
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