Birds seen resting on floating waste at Krishnampathi Lake in Coimbatore.
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The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) is yet to receive a detailed lake-wise restoration and maintenance plan from the Coimbatore Corporation in a suo motu case initiated in 2024 based on a news report on plastic waste accumulation in lakes developed under the Smart Cities Mission.
The proceedings stem from a report titled “Lakes developed under Smart Cities initiative in Coimbatore turn dumping grounds for plastic waste”, published in The Hindu on September 8, 2024. Taking suo motu cognisance of the issue, the Tribunal impleaded the Coimbatore Corporation through its Commissioner and sought reports from the authorities concerned.
Subsequently, the district administration and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) filed reports outlining measures proposed to address pollution and improve the condition of the lakes. The TNPCB was also directed to ensure adherence to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures.
During the hearing on September 11, 2025, the Tribunal noted that the report filed by the Coimbatore Corporation referred to several measures purportedly undertaken to secure public cooperation in maintaining the lakes. These included the installation of informative signboards, display of awareness posters, publication of messages through the media and conduct of public awareness campaigns.
However, the Tribunal observed that the Corporation had not placed on record any supporting documents, photographs, campaign materials, copies of publications or other evidence to substantiate its claims. Stating that the submissions remained unsupported, the Tribunal directed the Corporation to furnish lake-wise details of development works undertaken and timelines proposed for restoration and maintenance of the waterbodies.
The Tribunal also observed that, upon restoration and making the lakes fully operational, the Corporation could examine the feasibility of levying entry fees for permitted activities around the lakes.
However, the Corporation is yet to submit the details sought by the Tribunal. The matter was last heard on April 20, 2026, and has been posted for further hearing on July 23, 2026.
Published – June 08, 2026 06:49 pm IST
