COMMON JUDGEMENT

Delivered by Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member

O.A. No.184 of 2024 (SZ):

1. This application is Suo Motu taken up by this Tribunal based on the news item published in The Hindu dated 21.05.2024 under the caption “Another mass fish kill in Periyar River in Kerala after suspected effluent release”

2. The said news report alleges that a mass fish kill was reported following the suspected release of effluents into the Periyar River from industries in the Eloor– Edayar Industrial Area in Ernakulam District of State of Kerala and the dead fish were found floating in large-scale near Pathalam Bund and the downstream.

3. Considering the gravity of the issue, the Suo Motu cognizance was taken by this Tribunal and the above Original Application was registered.

O.A. No.233 of 2024 (SZ):

4. While so, based on the news item titled “KUFOS disputes PCB report on Periyar Fish kill; identifies Ammonia, Sulphur presence”, appearing in Mathrubumi.com dated 25.05.2024, the Principal Bench of this Tribunal had taken Suo Motu cognizance, expressing concern over the mass fish death, and registered the case as O.A. No.732 of 2024 (PB). Thereafter, it was transferred to this Ben