Jaggi Vasudev in an event at the Isha Foundation File Photo
Tamil Nadu

Madras HC tells Pollution Board to file report on Isha Foundation’s Maha Shivaratri event

The petitioner had argued that the Isha Foundation had not taken adequate steps to mitigate noise and sewage pollution, particularly during large-scale events.

Written by : TNM Staff

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to assess environmental and noise pollution concerns related to the upcoming Maha Shivaratri celebrations at Isha Foundation, located on the outskirts of Coimbatore, and submit a report by February 24. The direction was passed on Friday, February 21, while the court was hearing a petition seeking to prevent authorities from granting permission for the event due to alleged past violations of pollution norms.

A division bench comprising Justices SM Subramaniam and K Rajasekar instructed Additional Advocate General J Ravindran to ensure the submission of the report before February 24, considering that the Shivaratri celebrations are scheduled for February 26 and 27.  

The court was hearing a petition filed by ST Sivagnanan, a resident of Coimbatore, who alleged that despite multiple court orders, Isha Foundation had failed to comply with environmental regulations and continued to operate in an ecologically sensitive zone. He submitted that the foundation did not take adequate steps to mitigate noise and sewage pollution, particularly during large-scale events. He also provided a copy of a video posted on Isha’s official YouTube channel to show the scale of the event.

The petitioner also sought an interim direction preventing Isha Foundation from using loudspeakers at night without obtaining mandatory permission under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. He argued that while Isha was free to celebrate in any manner it chose, it must do so within legal limits, especially considering the sensitive ecosystem surrounding the foundation.

Given the gravity of the allegations, the court ordered TNPCB to assess the environmental impact of the celebrations and the adequacy of existing pollution control measures at the site. The case has been posted for further hearing on February 24, 2025.