Crackdown ordered on illegal houseboats in Vembanad; Wetland Authority rings alarm bells
The directive is learned to have come in the wake of a communication from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests
The directive is learned to have come in the wake of a communication from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests
The directive is learned to have come in the wake of a communication from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests
Alappuzha: In a significant move, the State Wetland Authority has directed the Kerala Maritime Board to take immediate action against houseboats illegally operating in the Vembanad lake here. The Authority has also sought a report from the Maritime Board, citing the international ecological importance of Vembanad, a designated Ramsar site.
The directive is learned to have come in the wake of a communication from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, which raised concerns over the unchecked growth of houseboats operating in the Vembanad backwaters and its adverse impact on biodiversity and water quality.
A letter from the Wetland Authority member secretary says that the ministry has received complaints that the proliferation of houseboats on the backwaters will adversely affect the backwater’s ecosystem and biodiversity. The Authority has also received complaints against the illegal dumping of waste into the backwaters by unauthorised houseboats. The Authority pointed out that the concerned authorities have failed to act on the High Court order to crack the whip on illegal houseboats.
More boats than the lake can handle
In its report to the High Court, the Pollution Control Board (PCB) confirmed the presence of unauthorised houseboats on the backwaters. While 827 houseboats are registered in Alappuzha, a satellite survey revealed the operation of 928 boats, excluding those anchored along the banks. The report also found that boats registered in Kollam and Kodungallur are illegally operating in Vembanad.
A 2013 study by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) had fixed Vembanad’s carrying capacity at 350 houseboats. Yet, more than double that number have already been granted registration in Alappuzha alone, clearly breaching the ecological limit.
Pollution and non-compliance
The PCB's inspection report to the Alappuzha Collector and Port Officer revealed that unauthorised houseboats are not following basic environmental guidelines, especially regarding waste disposal. As per PCB norms, toilet waste should be regularly offloaded at authorised treatment facilities and receipts must be collected and submitted. Currently, only boats registered in Alappuzha appear to comply with this rule. The status of waste treatment by boats registered elsewhere remains unclear.
The PCB's inspection report to the Alappuzha Collector and Port Officer revealed that unauthorised houseboats are not following basic environmental guidelines, especially regarding waste disposal. As per PCB norms, toilet waste should be regularly offloaded at authorised treatment facilities and receipts must be collected and submitted. Currently, only boats registered in Alappuzha appear to comply with this rule. The status of waste treatment by boats registered elsewhere remains unclear.
The PCB has urged strict action against unauthorised boats that flout pollution control norms, as they pose a serious threat to the backwater ecosystem.