Kerala: In a significant development, the Kerala High Court has ordered the cancellation of the much-awaited Sunburn music festival that was scheduled to take place in Wayanad on New Year’s Eve. The decision came after residents of the region filed a case highlighting illegal construction at the proposed festival site, ‘Boche 1000 Acres’ in Meppadi, Wayanad, an area affected by frequent landslides.
The court issued an interim order directing the District Collector, local police, and panchayat officials to enforce a ban on the event, acknowledging the risks posed by the site’s legal and safety issues. The decision follows a series of concerns raised by the authorities and local residents about the potential danger the event could pose, particularly in light of the region’s vulnerability to landslides.
Wayanad District Collector, who also chairs the District Disaster Management Authority, had previously issued a directive to halt the festival, citing illegal conversions of plantation land near a landslide-prone area. The Collector also flagged concerns over ongoing construction and soil extraction in the area, which, he noted, could further destabilize the region and disrupt public safety and law and order.
The Kerala High Court’s ruling came after a special government pleader, representing the state, informed the court that the Collector’s decision was made due to the lack of necessary permits for the event, alongside the heightened risk of disaster in the area. The local panchayat confirmed that no official permission had been granted for the festival, further substantiating the concerns raised by the authorities.
The court rejected the claims made by the District Tourism Promotion Council, which allegedly authorized the festival. The court ruled that such permission did not cover events of this scale, and stressed that the required legal approvals were still missing.
The Sunburn festival, which was being organized by Boche Bhumiputra Private Limited, a company owned by businessman Boby Chemmanur, had stirred controversy after residents raised alarms over suspected illegal construction at the proposed venue. Concerns regarding the safety of the venue had been brought to light by two senior citizens who had filed complaints with the District Disaster Management Authority and the District Collector.
This legal ruling has not only halted the festival but also underscores the importance of ensuring that such large-scale events are conducted in compliance with the necessary environmental, safety, and legal regulations, particularly in disaster-prone areas like Wayanad.
As the New Year’s Eve approaches, this decision serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges of balancing tourism and development with environmental sustainability and public safety.
