Thu Feb 05 14:28:54 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Travancore Devaswom Board to Crack Down on Pampa River Pollution

The Story:
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is launching a major campaign to combat the ongoing pollution of the Pampa River, a vital water source in central Kerala and crucial to the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Sparked by repeated criticism and High Court interventions, the TDB aims to end the practice of pilgrims discarding clothes into the river. The campaign, slated to begin in April 2026, will encompass various strategies, including media outreach and deploying volunteers along the riverbanks.

The TDB’s initiative comes after authorities removed three truckloads of discarded clothing from the river following the recent pilgrimage season. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board has warned of the serious ecological consequences, including the release of microfibres and chemical residues into the food chain, exacerbated by the river’s proximity to the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Key Points:

  • The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is launching a campaign to stop pilgrims from discarding clothes in the Pampa River.
  • The campaign will start in April 2026 and will use a multi-pronged strategy including press conferences, social media, and on-site volunteers.
  • The Kerala State Pollution Control Board warns about the harmful effects of synthetic clothing releasing pollutants into the river and food chain.
  • In 2015, the High Court ruled that throwing clothes into water bodies near the shrine is a punishable offence.
  • Three truckloads of discarded clothes were removed from the river after the recent pilgrimage season.

Key Takeaways:

  • The TDB is finally taking concrete action after years of criticism and legal pressure regarding Pampa River pollution.
  • The focus is on prevention through education and on-site intervention rather than legal prosecution, at least initially.
  • The ecological dangers of textile waste in rivers are significant and pose a threat to both human health and wildlife.
  • The effectiveness of the campaign will depend on the TDB’s ability to enforce the rules and change ingrained religious practices.
  • The High Court’s repeated flagging of the issue underscores the importance of judicial oversight in environmental protection.

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