The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Southern Zone in Chennai has directed the Tamil Nadu government to complete the process of issuing notification under Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, for Perur Lake in Coimbatore district.
This decision was made in response to a suo motu case registered by the tribunal based on a news report published on December 16, 2023.
The news report highlighted concerns about the lake’s transformation, including deep pits and valleys, sand mining, commercial fishing operations, road expansion, removal of vegetation, and encroachment.
The Water Resource Department filed an action taken report, stating that the lake has not been declared a bird sanctuary and that no illegal sand mining or encroachment is currently taking place.
The department also reported that the government has constituted a District Level Wetland Management Committee to conserve and manage wetlands, and the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History has identified Perur Kulam as one of six prioritized wetlands in Coimbatore district for notification under Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
The tribunal, comprising Judicial Member Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Expert Member Dr. Satyagopal Korlapati, directed the state government to complete the notification process at the earliest.
Additionally, the Water Resource Department was instructed to maintain and protect the lake, preventing any illegal activities until the notification is issued.
With the above direction the petition is disposed of by the NGT.
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