The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed the authorities of the Poovachal, Kattakada, and Vilappilsala grama panchayats in Thiruvananthapuram district to close down pig farms functioning without a valid licence in unhygienic surroundings and causing pollution.
The commission found that the pig farms were violating children’s right to live in a clean and healthy environment that has been guaranteed in the Constitution.
The commission directive comes on a petition from Davidson, president of the Janakeeya Samara Samithi at Kariyamkode in Kattakada. The complainant had alleged that nearly 15 illegal pig farms were functioning in the Kariyamkode area. Food waste, poultry waste, hospital waste and plastics were all transported to these farms. However, the pervasive stench from the farms, proliferation of flies and mosquitoes, and burning of plastic waste had caused children to develop itching and respiratory problems and created environmental issues. Children were unable to study or even eat properly and had to seek continuous medical attention. During rains, waste water from the farms was pumped out and through drains it reached canals, polluting them. Steps should be taken to stop the functioning of these farms, the complaint had sought.
The commission held two hearings in this connection and examined the reports submitted by the respondents. It found that a number of reports and petitions attested to the problems at Kariyamkode. The Nedumangad sub-divisional magistrate court had ordered removal of the pigs and sealing of the farms. Even the High Court had directed the Poovachal grama panchayat to close down pig farms functioning with valid licences, but to no avail.
The commission was of the opinion that the functioning of the farms violated children’s right to life and compulsory education promised in the Constitution and the rights to survival, protection, and development as per the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
After the petition to the child rights panel, the pig farm owners Deepa Minu and Bijin S. Sam had approached the High Court against the commission. The commission had analysed the court’s interim verdict and found noting favourable to the pig farm owners.
A commission hearing in March also found that during official inspections in farms at Poovachal, the pigs were shifted to Kattakada and Vilappilsala grama panchayats.
In its order, the child rights commission directed the District Collector, Vilappilsala station house officer, Kerala State Pollution Control Board environmental engineer, Kattakada tahsildar, and Poovachal panchayat president and secretary to regulate any food waste brought to the farms for outside. Any complaints related to illegal pig farms should be given special attention for addressing the issue urgently.
Police protection should be made available if required for closing down the farms.
Published – April 25, 2025 08:35 pm IST
