The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the majority of cardamom dryer units in Idukki lack the consent-to-operate clearance issued by the board.
The district office of the board found that only three of the 11 units had obtained the valid consent to operate.
All industries prone to water pollution, air pollution and environmental pollution should obtain valid consent to establish/operate from the State Pollution Control Board. Cardamom dryers come under the green category as per the categorisation of industries based on the pollution potential and required valid consent to operate from the board, according to a report submitted by the board before the Southern Bench of the green tribunal in a case pertaining to the alleged pollution caused by the use of wood/plastic briquettes as fuel for cardamom drying in various units located in Udumbanchola, Peermade, Devikulam and Idukki taluks.
