R.SUDHA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a Public Interest Litigation filed by an Advocate practising in the High Court of Kerala, who is said to be interested in taking up various public issues including environment protection. The basic contention advanced by the writ petitioner is that unmindful of the larger public interest, effluents and various kinds waste especially septic tank waste are being dumped into rivers, lakes, springs and streams in Munnar at the instance of the resort owners and there is deliberate inaction on the part of the State Government, the Pollution Control Board and the Munnar Grama Panchayat in curbing the nuisance.

(2.) Munnar is one of the most beautiful hill stations in India and well recognised and accredited internationally as a tourist destination, situated in Idukki District. It has got its own unique and peculiar features, and it is the grassland ecosystem which differentiates the Munnar hill station from the other hill stations in India. The Munnar area is mostly planted with tea, and the tea estates are managed by various companies like Tata Tea, Harrison Malayalam etc. Yet another distinct feature of Munnar is the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary wherein an enormous number of endangered species, of animals and plants are protected, and they are in the peripheries of Munnar. That apart the Eravikulam National Park, wherein an endangered species of animal called Nilgiri Thar is protected, which park is situated in the core area of Munnar hill station, apart from yet another distinctive feature of nearer Marayoor Sandalwood Reserve. Due to the pleasant climatic conditions, it is a most sought after destination for the tourists and consequently to accommodate the tourists many resorts have come up in and around Munnar.

(3.) According to the petitioner, the waste that is generated in the Munnar area is unable to be managed by the Government and the Grama Panchayat, so as to sustain the finer graces of the ecology. Even though various complaints were made by the local people, in respect of dumping of septic tank waste in the rivers and lakes of Munnar, no action was initiated. Even though the Police was also apprised of the situations, no adequate action was taken.