Pamba River Pollution: Kerala High Court Revives Suo Motu Case After Sabarimala Waste Found Along Riverbanks

The Kerala High Court on January 27, 2026 restored suo motu proceedings concerning pollution of the Pamba river after being informed that heaps of clothes discarded by Sabarimala pilgrims continue to remain along the riverbanks despite earlier court directions for their removal.

The bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar was hearing a Sabarimala Special Commissioner Report that highlighted serious lapses in clearing clothes and waste dumped into the river during the pilgrimage season. The matter was listed after the amicus curiae for the Special Commissioner pointed out that the contractor entrusted with removing the collected clothes had failed to carry out the task.

Court noted that the proceedings had originally been initiated based on alarming findings regarding the accumulation of discarded clothes along the banks of the Pamba river, a sacred water body closely associated with the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

In its earlier order dated November 28, 2025, the court had underlined that the river was not merely a natural watercourse but a sacred pathway leading to the abode of Lord Ayyappa, and that dumping waste into it undermined both environmental and spiritual values.

Subsequently, when the matter was reviewed on December 1, 2025 and again on January 7, 2026, court was informed that its directions had been complied with and that no further dumping was taking place. Recording these submissions, court had closed the proceedings, trusting that the authorities concerned would continue to act responsibly.

However, the bench said it was now confronted with a “deplorable and disturbing state of affairs.” Photographs produced before the court showed large heaps of clothes and other waste floating and stagnating in the river, emitting foul stench, contaminating water, endangering aquatic life and posing public health hazards. Court observed that such a situation reflected gross negligence and a complete disregard of its binding directions.

Emphasising that it could not remain a silent spectator to the continuing degradation of the Pamba river, particularly after the pilgrimage season had concluded, court said the inter-seasonal period should be used for restoration and rejuvenation of the river. It held that the failure of the Travancore Devaswom Board and local authorities to ensure sustained cleanliness not only damaged the ecological integrity of the region but also eroded public confidence in institutional accountability.

Taking the view that wider institutional participation was necessary for effective enforcement and long-term environmental protection, court suo motu impleaded the executive director of Suchitwa Mission, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board’s Pathanamthitta district office, and the Ranni Perunad grama panchayat as additional respondents in the case.

The bench directed that a joint inspection be conducted forthwith by officers of the pollution control board, Suchitwa Mission and the health officer of the Ranni Perunad grama panchayat, in coordination with officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board. The team has been tasked with inspecting the affected stretches of the river, assessing the extent of pollution and accumulation of waste, and recommending measures to ensure immediate removal of all discarded clothes and waste materials.

Court further directed that the Travancore Devaswom Board must ensure removal of the dumped clothes either through the contractor concerned or by any other lawful means, without further delay. It stressed that the entire exercise must be carried out in an environmentally sustainable manner, strictly adhering to scientific methods and statutory waste management protocols.

Separate statements have been sought from Suchitwa Mission, the pollution control board, the local authority and the Travancore Devaswom Board detailing the action taken so far, the present status of compliance and the measures proposed for long-term protection and conservation of the Pamba river.

Case Title: Suo Motu vs. State of Kerala and Others

Order Date: January 27, 2026

Bench:  Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar