Kerala High Court Proposes Ban on Single-Use Plastics in Hill Regions
The Kerala High Court has directed the State to instruct local authorities to clear waste dumped in various parts of Kochi, particularly near Vallarpadam Container Road. During a hearing on Tuesday, the Court also emphasized the need to ban single-use plastic in the hilly areas of the State, citing concerns about these regions turning into plastic dump yards due to frequent tourist visits. This suggestion was made in the suo motu case Suo Motu v. State of Kerala.
1/15/20251 min read
A Bench comprising Justices Bechu Kurian Thomas and P. Gopinath referred to similar measures taken by the Madras High Court, which successfully reduced plastic use in Tamil Nadu’s tourist spots. The Kerala High Court encouraged the State government to adopt a similar strategy to safeguard hill stations. Highlighting the Constitution’s fundamental duty to protect the environment, the Court stressed the collective responsibility to ensure these ecologically sensitive areas are not polluted with plastic waste.
The Bench observed that the accumulation of plastic waste contributes to environmental degradation, especially in disaster-prone areas, and sought the State government’s input on banning single-use plastic in hill stations within four weeks. The Court stated, “We deem it appropriate to prohibit the use of single-use plastics in hilly areas,” and emphasized the importance of a well-planned implementation strategy.
In addition to addressing plastic pollution, the Court criticized the rampant issue of garbage piling up along streets across Kerala, which local authorities have failed to manage effectively. It noted that roadside dumping of waste must be strongly condemned and ordered local bodies to take immediate action to clear such waste.
Specific instructions were issued to Kalamassery Municipality to remove waste near Apollo Tyres and to the Mulavukad Panchayat, Cheranalloor Panchayat, and Eloor Municipality to clear garbage dumped along Vallarpadam Container Road. The Court observed that such directives could be enforced under Section 58 of the Kerala Municipalities Act and Section 189 of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on January 24, 2025. Representing the State, Special Government Pleader Unnikrishnan appeared alongside Standing Counsel Janardhana Shenoy for the Cochin Corporation and Suman Chakravarthi for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The Special Secretary of the Local Self Government Department, Anupama TV (IAS), also attended the hearing via video conference.