The Madras High Court has directed the authorities to take necessary steps to remove encroachments from Painkattuvayal lake in Thanjavur district. The court was hearing a petition filed by M Raja Prabhu, president of the Pattukkottai United Youth Association.
Petition Highlights Lake Degradation
The petitioner stated that Painkattuvayal lake in Pattukottai taluk, which originally measured about 105 hectares and 19 cents, has now been reduced to a tiny pond due to plantation activities carried out by private individuals. Consequently, the petitioner sought a court direction to remove the encroachments and permit his organization, along with residents, volunteers, and other NGOs, to restore the lake to its original condition.
Court's Directions
A division bench comprising Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice B Pugalendhi directed the Pattukottai tahsildar to conduct a survey of the lake in the presence of the petitioner and the encroachers. Based on the survey results, notices shall be issued to the encroachers. The bench further stated that the water resource department shall clear all encroachments with the fullest assistance of the police.
Once the encroachments are cleared, the petitioner is permitted to carry out all remedial steps to restore the lake to its original condition. The judges observed, "Since the petitioner's association is a registered body whose main objective is restoration of water bodies, we permit them to restore the water body to its original condition out of their own funds."
This order brings hope for the restoration of Painkattuvayal lake, which has suffered significant shrinkage due to illegal encroachments and plantation activities.
