Noting Environmental Degradation, Kerala High Court Prohibits Sale Of Plastic Shampoo Sachets & Chemical Kumkum In Sabarimala
K. Salma Jennath
7 Nov 2025 12:33 PM IST
The Kerala High Court on Friday (November 7) directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to initiate steps to ensure that the selling of chemical kumkum is banned in Sabarimala to avoid substantial environmental degradation.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K.V. Jayakumar was considering a suo motu petition based on a report filed by the Special Commissioner, detailing the measures required to provide adequate facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims at the Edathavalams (resting places) during the Mandalam–Makaravilakku Festival Season 2025–2026.
As per its earlier order dated 16.10.2025, the Bench had noted that the TDB, the Indian Railways, and the District Tourism Promotion Council, Kottayam maintains various edathavalams, which provides shelter, sanitation facilities, food and potable drinking water for the pilgrims.
It then directed the TDB and other stakeholders to ensure that the facilities are properly maintained.
It had also remarked that at the edathavalam at Erumeli in Kottayam, pilgrims frequently use shampoos packaged in plastic sachets and discard them in and around the thode (stream), leading to pollution and environmental degradation. It had then directed the District Administration, Kottayam to take necessary measures to impose a ban on the use of shampoos in plastic sachets in and around Erumeli.
It also directed the Erumeli Grama Panchayat and the Chengannur Municipality to monitor that hygienic conditions are maintained through the respective Health Inspectors, and to submit a report.
When the matter was taken up today, the counsel for the Erumeli Grama Panchayat submitted that shampoo sachets and other waste materials are dumped in the Valiyathodu in Erumeli.
The counsel further submitted that traditionally, kumkum was used by traditional methods using turmeric and other naturally sourced ingredients. Now, Kumkum is made from chemicals and this is also creating huge environmental degradation. She stated that during pettathullal (a sacred ritualistic dance performed in Erumeli as part of the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage), this kumkum is sprayed on the bodies of the persons, who do pettathullal and it is for the removal of the same that strong shampoos and detergents are being used.
The counsel, therefore, requested that directions be issued to place nets and check dams across the thodu during the Sabarimala season to collect the accumulated shampoo sachets and other debris.
On hearing the same, the Bench ordered:
“We find that there should be express prohibition of the sale of shampoo sachets at the Kuthakas at Pamba and Sannidhanam and no person should be permitted to sell shampoo sachets enclosed in plastic covers… We direct the TDB to initiate steps to ensure that the selling of chemical Kumkum is banned in the area so that the substantial damages to the environment can be avoided.”
The Cochin Devaswom Board, the Chenganoor Municipality, TDB and the Guruvayoor Devaswom Board submitted to the Court arrangements have been made to comply with the earlier direction. The Guruvayur Devaswom Board also submitted that in the Guruvayur temple, separate queue for the Sabarimala pilgrims.
To the TDB, the Court directed the Devaswom Commissioner to file a consolidated measure detailing the measures that have been taken to carry out and to ensure that everything is in order.
The Government Pleader on behalf of the Assistant Police Commissioner, Kochi submitted that police pickets have been placed in the North, South railway stations and the stand claimed to be a KSRTC bus stand; and that pre-paid auto rickshaw and taxi counters is operational in both railway stations. It was also submitted that all arrangements have been made to ensure that the pilgrims are not put into any difficulty.
Recording the submissions, the Court posted the matter to next week.
Case No: SSCR 29/ 2025
Case Title: Suo Motu v. Union Government