Kochi: In an environment-friendly move, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday rejected a plea to modify its order banning the sale of chemical kumkum and shampoo sachets in Sabarimala temple.
A division bench observed that it is concerned about the devotees and ecology of the hill shrine located in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats, LiveLaw.In reported.
Hearing a petition filed by traders in Sabarimala and Erumeli seeking to lift the ban, the Court suggested the traders sell organic and traditionally-sourced kumkum in place of chemicals.
The traders contended the ban would incur financial loss to them as they had already paid advance to suppliers of kumkum.
The chemical Kumkum is said to contain copper sulphate Green, Lead Oxide, Carbon Black, Aluminium Bromide, Red Mercury Sulphide (Vermilion), Azo dyes, Prussian Blue, and Cobalt compounds.
The use of such substances causes dermatological disorders, ophthalmic injuries, respiratory distress, systemic toxicity, and long-term carcinogenic effects.
These chemicals entering soil, rivers, and groundwater systems, result in aquatic toxicity and depletion of dissolved oxygen levels.
The endemic freshwater species in Kerala, which is concentrated in the Periyar area, is particularly sensitive to such contaminants.
Chemical kumkum ban in Sabarimala
