Human rights panel intervenes over temple well water pollution in Kochi

State Human Rights Commission Chairperson Alexander Thomas intervened to address the alleged pollution of well water near the Thiruvarinikkulam Devi Temple, which happens during the ten-day Nadathurappu festival that draws thousands of visitors. The State Pollution Control Board and temple committee officials told the Commission that the water issue will be fixed for good once a new waste treatment plant starts working at the temple. The Commission ordered the Sreemoolanagaram panchayat secretary to test a local well water sample and file a report after the treatment plant begins operations. This order came after a petition by Sujikumar, a local resident living about three hundred metres from the temple entrance, who complained that his well water got polluted during the temple celebrations. The Kochi Sub-Collector told the Commission that authorities had ordered the Kochi Devaswom Board, the Pollution Control Board, and the local panchayat to take urgent steps. A new wastewater storage tank holding six lakh litres has been built, and the Pollution Control Board instructed the temple to use the treated water for farming. The board also stated that the new facility will only run if it follows official rules, with the upcoming festival acting as a real test of how well it works.

Context

State human rights bodies in India investigate citizen grievances regarding public health hazards and environmental pollution when local authorities fail to act. Water pollution near large gathering spots often stems from inadequate waste management during peak visitor influxes.