MATHEW LUKOSE Vs. KERALA STATE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE reliefs sought in the two petitions are similar, and so are, the grievances. THEy are therefore disposed of by a common judgments

(2.) PETITIONERS 1 to 5 in O. P. 3473/88 are residents of chingavanam, while petitioners 6 & 7 are Secretaries of two Associations in the area, said to be formed to fight pollution caused by the 5th respondent -the Travancore - Electro Chemicals Industries, called 'the Company', hereinafter. Petitioner in O. P. 4622/88 is another Association in that locality, with a grievance akin to that ventilated in O. P. 3473/88. Reference to documentation is with reference to O. P. 3473/88.

(3.) IT is further alleged that even the direction by the board not to discharge decanted effluents into the streams, to construct masonry catch drains etc. were not adhered to. The Board also noticed dumping of solid wastes like charcoal ash to the extent of 1260 tons a year. These also would lead to pollution on account of seepage and run off drains. IT did-, and that is what Annexure VIII dated 24-9-87 produced by the Board shows. Samples of water from the wells of Sarvashree Thambi, Scaria, Abraham, Sugathan and Ravi were analysed by the Board. The samples revealed traces of acidity, ammonia and nitrogen etc.