HC seeks reports from govts on plastic pellets in Kanyakumari sea
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Madurai:
Madras high court
on Tuesday directed the Centre and state to file a report on a plea seeking the removal of plastic pellets and other hazardous materials from the sea waters abutting Kanyakumari district.
This follows the incident where a Liberian cargo vessel, MSC ELSA 3 sank off the Kerala coast on May 25.
A division bench of justice S M Subramaniam and justice A D Maria Clete sought the response while hearing a public interest litigation filed by S M Anthony Muthu, R Justin Sundar, R Suseela, and C Carmel Lourdhu Boi, CPI (ML) Liberation functionaries from Kanyakumari district.
The petitioners stated that out of the 643 containers, 54 were washed ashore along Kerala and Kanyakumari district.
The containers are said to contain calcium carbonate and plastic pellets. However, there is no official statement to date about the contents of the containers.
They stated that the plastic pellets washed ashore along the coastline of Kanyakumari are dangerous pollutants in the coastal area, breaking up into nano plastics and eventually entering the food chain of marine species. Fish is one of the major food items consumed by the people of Kanyakumari.
The plastic pellets mixed with the sea water would cause prolonged and irreversible damage to the food chain and are also polluting the environment.
The containers now drifting in the sea water pose a great danger to the safety of the fishermen venturing into the sea. The authorities advised the fishermen not to venture into the sea. Considering the alarming nature of the issue, the Kerala govt declared a state disaster and is providing relief to the fishermen, the petitioners said.
Hence, the petitioners moved court seeking a direction to remove the plastic pellets and other hazardous materials from the sea in Kanyakumari district. The petitioner further sought to declare it a state disaster and provide relief to the fishermen.
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