The Kerala High Court has issued strong directives to address pollution concerns in Vembanad Lake, one of the state’s most important ecological assets and a designated Ramsar wetland, by mandating comprehensive inspections of houseboats operating on the lake. The interim order, issued by a bench led by Justice V. G. Arun, aims to curb environmental degradation caused by unregulated discharge of waste from houseboats, which has long been linked to rising contamination levels in the water body.
The court’s directive requires the Kerala Maritime Board to conduct strict pollution-compliance inspections of all houseboats plying in the lake within one month. Owners and operators have been told to present their vessels for examination and obtain a certificate of pollution prevention under the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and related rules. Houseboats that fail to secure this certificate will not be allowed to operate on Vembanad Lake after a three-month deadline.
During hearings on petitions — including those questioning whether houseboats registered at Kodungallur Port should be permitted in popular backwater tourism hubs such as Alappuzha and Kumarakom — the court made it clear that environmental protection must take precedence over operational disputes. It noted significant growth in both registered and unregistered houseboats over the years, contributing to unscientific disposal of sewage, garbage, non-biodegradable waste and oil spillage that threaten the lake’s health.
The High Court also clarified that its pollution compliance order does not apply to smaller shikara boats, which have a lower environmental footprint and may be registered under the Inland Vessels Act with appropriate procedures.
Officials from the Maritime Board informed the court that there are sufficient surveyors and infrastructure to complete inspections and issue certificates, and that fees can be collected for these services. The case is listed for further consideration in April, but the pollution-control compliance framework has now been firmly established as a prerequisite for houseboat operations on the lake.
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