The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has sought response from authorities to a public interest litigation petition seeking a direction to authorities to conduct periodic inspections and prevent pollution of Vaigai river and the surrounding areas of Pushpavaneswarar Temple in Tirupuvanam in Sivaganga district.A Division Bench of Justices G.R. Swaminathan and B. Pugalendhi was hearing the petition filed by A.V. Kathir of Madurai. The petitioner said he was a devotee of the temple and during his visits, over the years, he had witnessed an alarming deterioration of the riverbank due to complete absence of an effective and permanent cleanliness, and waste management mechanism.After the completion of funeral ceremonies, people discarded the clothes worn during the rituals directly into the river. Plastic covers, carry bags, food waste, banana leaves, flowers, garlands, ritual materials, earthen pots, paper plates, disposable cups, bottles and biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials were indiscriminately thrown into the river and on its banks. Waste remained scattered without being collected or disposed of for several days, he said.There is no effective system for segregation, collection or scientific disposal of waste generated during funeral ceremonies. Adequate garbage bins are also not provided at the places where devotees perform the rituals. In the absence of basic civic infrastructure, people dispose of waste directly into the river, thereby causing severe pollution and environmental degradation, he said.The protection of the river is a constitutional and statutory obligation of the State. Any continued neglect in maintaining the river adjoining the ancient temple adversely affects public health, environmental sustainability, religious sentiments and the cultural heritage of the State, he said.He sought a direction to the authorities to permanently deploy adequate sanitation workers for cleaning and maintenance, install sufficient waste collection and segregation facilities, conduct periodic inspections and take measures to prevent pollution of Vaigai river and the surrounding areas of the temple. The court adjourned the hearing in the case by one week. Published - August 01, 2026 09:13 pm IST