Revive, maintain Sithalapakkam lake: NGT to Chengalpattu Collector

CHENNAI: The Southern Bench of National Green Tribunal directed Chengalpattu district collector and the Water Resource Department (WRD) to survey Sithalapakkam lake for unauthorised encroachments including the inlets and outlets of the lake. Directing them to remove the encroachments, it also passed the ordered to cancel the land pattas issued to the concerned parties.

The bench comprising K Ramakrishnan and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati noted that Sithalapakkam lake at Medavakkam-Mambakkam main road was once brimming with water. But over the years, due to rampant encroachments and poor maintenance, the lake has been drastically affected. Besides this, the lake also serves as a dumping ground for garbage and is a permanent site for illegal sewage disposal by private tankers.

The Tribunal directed the WRD to provide protective mechanisms like bio-fencing, planting trees and employ other scientific methods to strengthen the bunds and repair the wires and sluices provided to regulate the inflow and outflow of the lake. Subsequently, the block development officer (BDO), St Thomas Mount Panchayat Union, is directed to strictly implement Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 besides liquid and other waste management rules within their limit.

The NGT has also urged the BDO to remove the waste dumped into the water body and move it to a designated place after obtaining necessary permission under the respective Waste Management Rules. Meanwhile, the Tambaram corporation is directed to speed up the completion of underground sewage schemes in the area.