The Tamil Nadu Information Commission (TNIC) has called on state government to take decisive action to restore Sathangadu Lake in Tiruvallur district to its original size of 135 acres. Currently, lake has been reduced to about 70 acres due to extensive encroachments,which officials from the Revenue Department have confirmed affect nearly 60 acres of waterbody.
State Information Commissioner R. Priyakumar emphasized urgency of the situation,urging the Tiruvallur Collector to prioritize the removal of these encroachments. He directed the Commissioner of Revenue Administration and Disaster Management to oversee the eviction process and implement protective measures to prevent future violations. The Public Information Officer (PIO) from the Revenue Department has been summoned to provide an action report by July 30.
The issue was brought to light by a petition from S. Anandan, a resident of Manali,who sought information regarding the lake's extent under the Right to Information Act, 2005. Anandan highlighted that the lake, originally spanning 135 acres, had diminished significantly over the years. He referenced a report from The Hindu published on March 28,2008, in which the then Tiruvallur Collector confirmed the lake's original size.
Frustrated by the lack of a satisfactory response from the PIO and First Appellate Authority, Anandan escalated the matter to the TNIC. Upon review,Commissioner Priyakumar instructed the Tiruvottiyur Tahsildar to provide official documentation regarding the lake's size and details of any encroachments. He warned that failure to comply could result in a maximum penalty of ₹25,000 for the PIO and potential disciplinary action .
A joint inspection of the lake area was conducted, revealing that two public sector enterprises under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas,along with two private petrochemical companies,had encroached on nearly 10 acres of the lake for 15 to 20 years . Additionally, a residential area known as MGR Nagar,home to around 200 families, has also encroached upon the lake, along with a temple and a public toilet built by the state government.
Commissioner Priyakumar expressed grave concern about environmental impact of these encroachments. He noted that protecting waterbodies is a collective responsibility, not solely that of government. Speaking to The Hindu,he stated that Sathangadu Lake is crucial not only for the local ecosystem but also serves as a habitat for various migratory bird species. He warned that unchecked encroachments could lead to irreversible damage to both environment and local industries.
Priyakumar's recommendations for eviction and restoration are grounded in G.O . (Ms.) No. 540 of Tamil Nadu government,which mandates the formation of redressal committees by District Collectors for addressing encroachments on government lands . His directives align with the Tamil Nadu Protection of Tanks and Eviction of Encroachment Act,2007,and are consistent with several Supreme Court rulings that have condemned encroachments on waterbodies.
