Bengaluru, Feb 22 : The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to submit an urgent report regarding a petition that raised environmental concerns over the upcoming Maha Shivaratri celebrations at the Isha Foundation. The event, expected to attract thousands of visitors on February 26, is located in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats.
A bench comprising Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice K Rajasekar instructed Additional Advocate General J Ravindran to file the report by Monday, ahead of the scheduled event on February 26 and 27.
The petition was filed by ST Sivagnanan, a Coimbatore resident, who urged the court to prevent Isha Foundation from using loudspeakers at night without proper permissions under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. He alleged that despite previous court orders, the foundation continued to violate environmental norms.
Sivagnanan highlighted past concerns over sewage discharge and noise pollution from Isha’s events. He argued that the foundation’s sewage treatment plant was inadequate for managing the waste generated by large gatherings and claimed that authorities had failed to enforce compliance. A video published by Isha Foundation showcased the scale of the event, raising further concerns over its environmental impact.
The petitioner also pointed out that music, dance performances, and extensive lighting arrangements during the festival could disturb local wildlife, particularly elephants. He accused district authorities of inaction, allowing the foundation to operate without proper environmental safeguards.
Senior counsel Satish Parasaran, representing Isha Foundation, countered the claims, alleging that the petition was filed with ulterior motives just days before the celebrations. He argued that the foundation adheres to National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines issued in 2020.
The additional advocate general assured the court that the event would comply with all legal and environmental regulations. The court accepted the request for additional time and adjourned the hearing until Monday.
