Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Krishna Das K V Vs State of Kerala dated 28/02/2022.

Grievance in the application is against failure to take remedial action for protecting Ashtamudi wetland and Vambanad-Kol wetland, a Ramsar site in Kollam district of Kerala. Wetland has become polluted due to dumping of pharmaceutical waste, plastic waste, domestic waste, slaughter-house waste and numerous other sources.

The NGT directed the Chief Secretary, Kerala to call a meeting of concerned departments including district administration, State Wetland Authority and the Kerala State Coastal Zone Management Authority (KSCZMA).

The National Wetland Authority may also take cognizance of the problem since the site in question is Ramsar site and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board must enforce consents/EC conditions applicable to pharmaceutical units and boat houses as well as other authorities dumping of waste and to take appropriate action by way of prosecution and stopping polluting activity, the NGT order, February 28, 2022 said.