Authorities neglecting Periyar River conservation: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court has expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed timeline for setting up a STP to curb pollution of the Periyar River, saying that the authorities concerned, including the PCB, have failed to give due importance to the need to preserve the waterbody.

The observation by a bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar VM came after the PCB submitted a report stating that the work to set up the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) will be completed by August next year.

“We are not at all satisfied with the progress of the work expected to be carried out by the Pollution Control Board (PCB). The timeline suggested by the Chief Environmental Engineer in the report dated July 14, 2026, is not acceptable to this court. We are of the view that the authorities concerned have failed to attach due importance to the earlier orders passed by this court as well as to the need to preserve the river Periyar and its flora and fauna,” the bench said. It directed that the entire work related to setting up of the STP shall be completed on or before December 31 this year. “The said direction is peremptory,” it said and listed the matter to January 2027, where the Chief Environmental Engineer has to file a compliance report.

The court’s observation and directions came on a batch of petitions seeking to curb the pollution of the Periyar River by preventing dumping of effluents into it from industries and the Aluva Market. The bench had, in June, directed the Board to give a revised time schedule for setting up the STP to curb pollution of the river and to strictly follow the same, as such a system was “essential for protection of biodiversity and the flora and fauna” connected with the waterbody.