Vembanad Lake Pollution: Kerala High Court Issues Directions To Curb Pollution By Non-Compliant Houseboats
The Kerala High Court recently issued detailed directions to curb pollution caused by the plying of houseboats in the Vembanad lake, the longest lake in India and the largest in Kerala.
Justice V.G. Arun passed the interim order while considering a batch of petitions, in which the main issue was whether houseboats registered at Kodungallur Port can be allowed to operate in Alappuzha and Kumarakom.
However, the Court felt that the issue of pollution caused by the houseboats should be addressed first.
"the immediate concern of this Court is regarding the pollution generated by the houseboats. This Court is therefore of the considered view that, it should first be ensured that all houseboats plying in the Vembanad lake are pollution compliant. The provisions of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 ('the Act' for short) also mandate such compliance," it remarked.
The Court referred to several provisions under the Act and Inland Vessels (Prevention and Containment of Pollution) Rules, 2022 that require that vessels should obtain valid certificate of prevention of pollution and also lay down the responsibilities of owner or operator of vessels in preventing pollution.
The standing counsel of the Maritime Board then told the Court that it has sufficient number of Surveyors and the facilities to conduct inspection for issuing the afore Certificate. Further, it was submitted that it has been conducting inspections and ordering detention for violating the provisions of the Act.
Considering the submission, the Court directed that the houseboats plying in Vembanad lake must be presented for inspection by the Board for obtaining the certificate within one month. It also made it clear that shikara boats are excluded from its directions.
The directions of the Court are reproduced:
"i) The owners/operators of the houseboats plying in Vembanad lake shall present their boats for inspection by the Kerala Maritime Board, and obtain certificate of prevention of pollution as mandated in Section 53(2) of the Act within one month.
ii) The Kerala Maritime Board shall thereupon conduct inspection and issue the certificate to houseboats having the requisite equipment, systems, fittings and arrangements.
iii) The Kerala Maritime Board can collect the prescribed fee for carrying out the inspection and issuing the certificate.
iv) Houseboats without the certificate of compliance of prevention and containment of pollution shall not be permitted to ply in the Vembanad lake after three months of this order.
v) The above directions are not applicable to Shikara boats and it will be open to the Kerala Maritime Board to grant registration to Shikara boats in accordance with the provisions of the Inland Vessels Act and the Rules thereunder."
The case is posted on April 10 for further consideration.
Case No: Con.Case(C) No.693 of 2025 and connected cases
Case Title: All Kerala House Boat Owners Association v. K. Srinivas and connected cases