Kerala High Court Orders Crackdown on Ashtamudi Lake Pollution

The Kerala High Court has directed Kollam Corporation to prevent waste discharge into Ashtamudi Lake. The court has also ordered the removal of land encroachers around the lake. The directives came from a plea filed by a lawyer for lake clean-up, restoring water quality, and setting up sewage treatment facilities.

The Kerala High Court has issued directives to the Kollam Corporation to enforce stringent measures preventing the discharge of waste and effluents into the Ashtamudi Lake, a Ramsar site renowned as the gateway to the state's backwaters.

The court further instructed the Sub Collector of Kollam to initiate the removal of land encroachers around the lake.

A bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice S Manu expressed astonishment at the extensive land encroachments surrounding Ashtamudi Lake. 'It is crucial to preserve this 'kayal poramboke' for future generations and ensure the free flow of water in Ashtamudi Lake,' stated the court.

(With inputs from agencies.)