Environmental compliance measures are mandated for religious events, ensuring responsible conduct by authorities and pilgrims to mitigate ecological impacts.

ORDER

Raja Vijayaraghavan V, J.

This matter pertains to the report submitted by the Special Commissioner detailing the measures required to be undertaken for providing adequate facilities to Sabarimala pilgrims at Edathavalam during the Mandalam–Makaravilakku festival season of 2025–2026.

2. Pursuant to the orders issued by this Court, necessary facilities have been provided for the benefit of the pilgrims.

3. In the course of the proceedings, it was brought to the notice of this Court that there was indiscriminate disposal of small plastic shampoo sachets in the said area. It was further brought to the notice of this Court that there has been an increasing use of synthetic coloured kumkum powder by pilgrims and devotees during Pettathullal.

4. In terms of the directions issued by this Court, routine inspections were conducted by the competent statutory authorities, pursuant to which synthetic kumkum was seized. In certain cases, criminal proceedings have also been initiated against the offenders.

5. Today, when the matter was taken up for consideration, the Drug Inspector, Kottayam, has appeared in person and has placed a report before this Court. The said report states that, with the conclusion of the Mandalam–Makaravilakku festival season, no sale or usage of kumkum is presently being observed in the area. The Drug Inspector has further assured this Court that continuous monitoring will be carried out to effectively curtail the sale of synthetic kumkum and that appropriate legal action will be initiated as and when any violations are detected.

6. Insofar as the registration of offences is concerned, it is reported that the seized articles have been forwarded to the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-II, Kanjirappilly, and that the proceedings initiated in that regard shall take their own course in accordance with law. Now that the festival season has concluded, we are of the view that the report submitted by the Drug Inspector can be accepted and the said authority can be directed to act in accordance with law.

7. We, however, deem it necessary to remind the Travancore Devaswom Board of its statutory and administrative responsibility to sensitise pilgrims regarding the use of natural kumkum and to refrain from using prohibited plastic products during the forthcoming season by issuing appropriate guidelines and directions. Such advisories shall be given wide publicity through both print and digital media platforms.

The SSCR is accordingly closed.