• Source:JND
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Maha Shivratri At Isha Foundation: The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has been ordered by the Madras High Court to evaluate environmental and noise pollution issues associated with the upcoming Maha Shivaratri celebrations at Isha Foundation, which is situated outskirts of Coimbatore, and to provide a report by February 24.

The directive was issued on Friday, February 21, when the court was considering a petition to prohibit officials from granting permission for the event owing to alleged previous violations of pollution standards.

A division bench comprising Justices SM Subramaniam and K Rajasekar ordered Additional Advocate General J Ravindran to ensure that the report is submitted by February 24, given that the Shivaratri celebrations are planned for February 26 and 27.

The court was hearing a plea submitted by a Coimbatore resident, ST Sivagnanan, who alleged that Isha Foundation had disregarded many court orders and persisted in operating in an environmentally vulnerable area in violation of environmental laws. He said that, especially during major events, the foundation failed to take sufficient action to reduce noise and sewage pollution. In order to demonstrate the scale of the event, he also sent a copy of a video that was uploaded on Isha's official YouTube channel.

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In accordance with the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, the petitioner further requested an interim order prohibiting Isha Foundation from using loudspeakers at night without the required permission. He maintained that although Isha was allowed to celebrate whatever it pleased, it had to stay within the bounds of the law, particularly in light of the delicate environment that surrounded the foundation.

In light of the seriousness of the allegations, the court directed TNPCB to evaluate the festivities' effects on the environment and the effectiveness of the site's current pollution control measures. A hearing in this matter has been scheduled for February 24, 2025.