Pranav B Prem

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, has taken suo motu cognizance of a news report published in The Hindu on 07 November 2025 titled “A fire that fails to die down”, which exposed alarming levels of pollution allegedly caused by a poultry waste treatment facility operated by M/s Fresh Cut Organic Products Pvt. Ltd. at Ambayathode in Kattippara Panchayat, Kozhikode, Kerala. Acting upon the report, which highlighted environmental degradation and potential threats to public health, the Tribunal initiated proceedings to probe the matter further and ensure regulatory accountability.

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The report alleged that the twenty-five-tonnes-per-day poultry waste processing unit has been generating continuous foul odour, polluting air and water, and contaminating the main river in the area, which serves as the primary source of drinking water. Residents in the locality have reportedly suffered from recurring skin infections and allergies, correlating the rise in health issues to the emissions and effluents from the plant. Although the unit claims compliance with environmental standards and has obtained district-level clearance, villagers asserted that the pollution persisted even after the plant temporarily halted operations owing to public protests. The allegations, if proven, would indicate violations of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

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Taking note of the seriousness of the environmental concerns and the potential threat to public health, the Tribunal invoked its suo motu powers as recognised by the Supreme Court in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai v. Ankita Sinha, 2021 SCC OnLine SC 897, which affirmed the NGT’s authority to act on its own based on credible information relating to environmental harm. Exercising that jurisdiction, the Tribunal impleaded the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, the District Magistrate of Kozhikode, the Central Pollution Control Board, and the Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Bengaluru as respondents. These authorities have been directed to submit their responses and relevant material before the competent Bench.

Since the alleged pollution falls within the territorial jurisdiction of the Southern Zonal Bench, the National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench transferred the matter accordingly. The parties have been directed to file their reports before the Southern Zonal Bench at least one week prior to the next scheduled hearing. The case is next listed for 29 January 2026, where further orders will be issued after examination of the factual reports and statutory compliance records.

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The Tribunal's intervention stands as a reminder that industries under the guise of waste treatment or recycling cannot operate at the cost of environmental health and community safety. The proceedings are expected to determine responsibility for the alleged pollution, ensure compliance with environmental norms, and mandate appropriate remedial and preventive measures to safeguard the affected population and ecosystem.

Cause Title: News Item titled "A fire that fails to die down" appearing in The Hindu dated 07.11.2025 

Case No: Original Application No. 619/2025

Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson),  Hon’ble Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member),  Hon’ble Dr. Afroz Ahmad, (Expert Member)