High Court Bans Small Shampoo Packets in Sabarimala, Prohibits Chemical Saffron Sale in Erumeli
The Kerala High Court has issued a directive banning the use of small shampoo sachets in Sabarimala, citing environmental concerns due to plastic waste. The order was pronounced by a bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar.
In addition to the ban on shampoo sachets, the court also prohibited the sale of chemical saffron in key pilgrimage areas including Pampa, Sannidhanam, and Erumeli. The High Court has instructed the Travancore Devaswom Board to ensure the strict implementation of these new regulations.
The Devaswom Bench was engaged in reviewing various matters pertaining to the upcoming Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. As part of this review, the court has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to submit a comprehensive report detailing the arrangements and facilities at all 52 designated resting places, or ‘Edathavalam’, for pilgrims.
During the proceedings, the court also considered a report from the Special Commissioner regarding the facilities at these resting places. The Erumeli Grama Panchayat informed the court that waste found in Valiathode, a significant stream where a large number of devotees bathe before and after the Petta Thullal ritual in Erumeli, has been successfully cleared.