The South Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has observed that the “dumping of waste at Brahmapuram since 2011 was without scientific basis and against law”. The NGT also noted that the Kochi Corporation had not obtained prior environmental clearance under the Environment Impact Assessment notification 2006 for dumping of waste at Brahmapuram. The observations were made by the Bench while hearing a petition filed by Varghese K. Paul and Vineed Abraham.

The tribunal noted that the Kerala State Pollution Control Board had issued a temporary permit for the dumping yard for a period from 2008 to 2011. Even during the period, the Corporation failed to comply with the board’s directives. After the expiry of the authorisation period, the board did not renew permission. Hence, dumping of waste at Brahmapuram was against law, and the activities there were illegal, the Bench observed.

On the NGT’s earlier direction to the Corporation Secretary, the counsel of the local body said he would appear before it when the case was considered next.

Tribunal says corporation failed to comply with directives of Pollution Control Board