Ensure no waste is dumped at Ashtamudi Lake, evict encroachers in 6 months: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the removal of illegal encroachments on the shores of the Ashtamudi lake within six months [Adv Boris Paul v State of Kerala & ors]..In this regard, the Court directed the Sub Collector at Kollam to initiate proceedings under the Land Conservancy Act to remove encroachers within six months. The Court also called for monthly progress reports.Additionally, the District Police Chief was directed to deploy necessary police personnel to assist in the removal of encroachments.A Bench of Acting Chief Justice A Muhamed Mushtaque and Justice S Manu also sought information on the steps taken to ensure that waste is not thrown into the lake.The Court observed that the lake has been subjected to severe pollution and encroachments, leading to the degradation of its water quality. "It is astonish(ing) to know that it is not a small parcel of land but a large extent of land that have been encroached. It is high time that we need to secure this kayal puramboke for future generation and also ensure free flow of water in the Ashtamudi Lake," the Court added, after perusing the list of encroachers submitted by the State's government pleader. .The order was passed on a plea by advocate Boris Paul who highlighted the alarming pollution levels and illegal encroachments at Ashtamudi Lake. He told the Court that there was indiscriminate disposal of sewage, biomedical waste, and solid waste from nearby establishments.Paul sought the court's intervention to clean the lake, implement sewage treatment facilities, and remove illegal constructions from the lake's shores..The Court on Tuesday directed the Secretaries of the Kollam Corporation and other local authorities to report on measures taken to prevent waste from entering the lake.The Court added that strict action must be taken against violators. "We, therefore, direct the Secretary of the Kollam Corporation as well as the Secretaries of other local authorities to place before this Court as to what action have been taken to prevent the passing of waste to the lake. Strict action shall be taken by the Secretary to prevent passing of waste and other effluents to the lake, in the light of the Government Orders dated 2/3/2024 for dumping waste in public places," the July 23 order said. .The matter has been posted for further hearing on August 6, 2024..The petitioner (advocate Boris Paul) was represented by advocates Ajmal A, Dhanush CA, Priyanka Sharma MR, and Ananya MG..[Read Order]