Summary
Friends of Bharatapuzha (FOB)—a NGO that works to rejuvenate, preserve, and protect the state of Kerala’s second largest river, the Bharathapuzha—filed a writ petition in the Kerala High Court of India seeking to “Declare the Bharathapuzha [river] and its tributaries are legal entities” (personhood) “and they have a right to flow and live without being exploited and legal activities committed upon” (19).
FOB (Petitioners) filed this petition as a result of rampant man-made activities, notably the construction of dams, that have decayed the Bharathapuzha river and severely disrupted its flow. Because of this, the flow of the Bharathapuzha river has become almost dry in the summer months, and poses a very dangerous, highly-destructive flood zone in others. Reduced flow and erosion, combined with severe pollution, have caused a great loss of flora and fauna and deteriorated the “once majestic and perenial river” to a “miserable sight” (4-5).
Involved Organizations
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2025. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor.https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/kerala-high-court-of-india-case-seeking-legal-personhood-for-bharathapuzha-river/.
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