National Green Tribunal Informs Eviction of Encroachers Around Kadapperi and Periya Eri Lakes in Tambaram

The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal has received information that encroachers around Kadapperi and Periya Eri lakes in Tambaram, Tamil Nadu, will be evicted. The tribunal had initiated a suo motu case against groundwater contamination in areas surrounding these lakes due to the uncontrolled inflow of sewage and industrial effluents.

The State counsel informed the bench that the Revenue Department has instructed the Water Resources Department and the Tambaram Corporation to take steps for eviction. The council suggested that declaring the residents within the lake boundary as “squatters” would facilitate the eviction process.

However, the bench emphasized that the custodian of the lakes must make such declarations, not the tribunal. Discussions also touched upon the possibility of providing alternative housing or rental assistance to the squatters as per Supreme Court directives.