The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition seeking a direction to the state authorities to initiate appropriate action against the discharge of sewage and affluents by the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore into the neighbouring lands. The petitioner ST Sivagnanan had also sought that the Isha Foundation should not be granted permission to conduct any festivals or gatherings without making appropriate arrangements for the discharge of sewage and effluents in a proper manner, and making proper arrangements to prevent the disturbance to the animals in the nearby Velliangiri forest area. Perusing the counter-affidavit filed by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board with regard to the allegations raised in the petition, Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, said the counter-affidavit stated that the Isha Foundation has adequate facility to handle the liquid and solid waste generated during functions. It has also followed noise rules.
“When the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board filed a counter-affidavit stating that the respondent (Isha Foundation) is having adequate facility to handle solid, liquid, and noise pollution during Maha Sivarathri function, there is no reason to consider the apprehensions raised by the petitioner,” said court dismissing the writ petition filed by Sivagnanan.