Madras high court
Acting on a writ petition filed by environmental activist S Muralidharan seeking the removal of solar panels in Ukkadam and Valankulam lakes, the court on Sept 18 criticized the civic body for operating petrol-engine motorised boats despite prior instructions prohibiting them. The ruling followed a report by the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) that highlighted the ecological importance of the Ukkadam lake and documented 183 bird species whose natural habitat was threatened by vehicular disturbance.
The court said, “The continued use of motorised boats operated by petrol engines will certainly cause serious adverse impact on the aquatic life of the lake. COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation has halted boating in the Ukkadam Periyakulam as directed by Madras high court. The bench directed authorities to immediately cease all motorised boat activities and transition strictly to pedal boats. In view of the ecological significance of the lake, we direct that the use of motorised boats shall be stopped forthwith. Instead of motorised boats, the corporation may provide ordinary pedal boats for recreational purposes.”