COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation has halted boating in the Ukkadam Periyakulam as directed by 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 bench directed authorities to immediately cease all motorised boat activities and transition strictly to pedal boats. 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.According to the order, the city corporation has been operating boating facilities comprising motorised boats fuelled by petrol engines, speed boats and one aqua roller for recreational activities. It is mentioned that electric boats were unavailable.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. 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.”It further observed that these lakes lacked diverse microhabitats for birds, but supported higher recreational activities, increased artificial nightlight intensity, large congregations of humans, eateries, walking areas and other physical structures including a sewage treatment plant.The SACON report mentioned that out of the recorded species, there were 126 resident species and 57 migratory species. Of these, eight species are classified as globally threatened, including two species classified as vulnerable — namely, curlew sandpiper and river tern and six species classified as near threatened.
