National Green Tribunal
Tribunal On Its Motion Suo Motu Based On ... vs Chief Engineer Water Resources ... on 5 August, 2025
Item No.2:-
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
Tuesday, the 05th day of August, 2025.
[Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]
Original Application No.92 of 2023 (SZ)
IN THE MATTER OF
Tribunal on its own motion SUO MOTU based
on the news item published in The Times of
India Chennai Edition dated 14.07.2023, titled
"SIPCOT kills a lake to build a park"
WITH
1) District Collector - Chengalpattu
(Erstwhile Kancheepuram District)
Collectorate Campus,
GST Road, Chengalpattu,
Tamil Nadu - 603 001.
2) State Industries Promotion Corporation of
Tamil Nadu Limited (SIPCOT)
Rep. by its Managing Director,
19-A, Rukmani Lakshmipathy Road,
Egmore, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu - 600 008.
3) Water Resources Department (WRD)
Rep. by its Chief Engineer,
Chepauk, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu - 600 005.
...Respondent(s)
For Applicant (s): Suo Motu.
For Respondent(s): Dr. D. Shanmuganathan for R1 & R3.
Mr. Abishek Murthy &
Mr. L. Naveen Kumar for R2.
Judgment Reserved on: 24th July, 2025.
CORAM:
HON'BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE Dr. SATYAGOPAL KORLAPATI, EXPERT MEMBER
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JUDGEMENT
Delivered by Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member
1. The above-captioned Original Application was Suo Motu registered based on a news item published in The Times of India, Chennai Edition, dated 14.07.2023, under the caption "SIPCOT kills a lake to build a park"
2. It is reported in the news item that 33 Acres of the lake known as 'Periya Eri' were handed over to the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (SIPCOT) about 10 years ago by the Water Resources Department (WRD) and it was recently restored at a huge cost.
3. It is further reported in the newspaper that nearly 10 Acres have been filled with debris and concrete waste for a park. The 33 Acres of the lake have now been reduced to 10 Acres, and even that is being obliterated by the construction of two buildings, which are being converted into footpaths and seating areas. It is not only a bund that is being developed; it appears that the water spread area is also used.
4. Considering the gravity of the issue, which raises the substantial question of environment concerns, this Tribunal impleaded the District Collector, SIPCOT and WRD as party respondents and issued notices to them.
5. Upon notice, the respondents have entered appearance and filed their respective pleadings.
6. Respondent No.3, which is the Water Resources Department, Chennai Region, has filed its report dated 28.08.2023, stating that the proprietary rights over the impugned tank area measuring 33.43 Acres were transferred to SIPCOT by the Revenue Department vide G.O. Ms. No.10 dated 03.01.2002 i.e., more than 21 years ago, and not 10 years as erroneously reported in the news item. Since ownership of the tank has vested with SIPCOT, it is SIPCOT's responsibility to Page 2 of 8 ensure compliance with the terms and conditions stipulated in the above-mentioned Government Order. Due to the expansion and urban agglomeration of Chennai city, including the development of residential colonies and industrial parks, the tank has lost its irrigation potential. As per WRD records, the tank's water spread area is 33.43 Acres at its Maximum Water Level (MWL). However, at Full Tank Level (FTL), the actual water- holding area is 14.82 Acres. This area remains physically intact. The remaining peripheral area of 18.61 Acres has been developed with eco-friendly infrastructure, including a walking track, cycling track, constructed wetlands, open wells, STPs, demonstration farms, and a nesting mound.
7. It is further stated in the report that the lake has been desilted and deepened. The excavated earth was used to strengthen the bunds, and the surplus was utilized to form a nesting mound on the western side. Palmyra trees are seen in the vicinity of this mound. No construction debris has been used or dumped in the lake area. Four solar panels of 15 KW capacity each have been installed along the cycle track to promote energy conservation. A compound wall has been constructed on three sides of the lake for protection. The remaining portion on the north and northeast sides will be completed in due course. Encroachments by third parties in the form of 27 huts have been identified on the northwest side of the lake.
8. The District Collector, Chengalpattu District (Respondent No.1), in his report dated 11.10.2023, stated that a joint inspection was conducted on 14.09.2023 by the Sub- Collector, Chengalpattu, along with Revenue Officials of Thiruporur Taluk. As per the Village Adangal, the land in Sy. No.168/1 admeasuring 13.25.50 Hectares is classified as 'Navalur Tank', and Sy. No.168/2 admeasuring 0.28.0 Hectare is classified as 'Temple and Battai'. The land in Sy. No.168/1 has been handed over to SIPCOT and is presently under its maintenance. At present, SIPCOT is implementing an Eco Park scheme in the Navalur Tank area. The depth of the tank is being increased, stones have been laid around the tank perimeter, and structures resembling small cottages have been identified in Page 3 of 8 certain areas. Parasols have been installed on the eastern side, and a parking area has been laid with stones on the northern side. Provisions for rainwater storage and discharge during monsoons have also been made. A 24-feet-wide pathway has been left for public access on the eastern side, and compound walls have been constructed along the remaining boundaries. A large well and several smaller wells are located on the western side.
9. The report further states that on the northwestern side, 21 Irular families and 06 other families were previously residing. These families have since been rehabilitated and allotted housing units by SIPCOT through the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board at Perumbakkam. As per the records, out of the total 33.43 Acres of the Navalur Tank, the current water spread area stands at 14.82 Acres. The remaining 18.61 Acres have been utilized for the formation of pathways, eco-friendly structures, small cottages, and parks.
10. The District Collector, Chengalpattu District, has also filed another report dated 10.01.2024, stating that, in compliance with the directions of this Tribunal, the subject land was jointly inspected on 09.01.2024 by the Revenue and Police authorities along with officials from SIPCOT for initiating eviction proceedings against the identified encroachers. During the said inspection, all encroachers expressed their willingness to vacate the premises voluntarily and relocate to the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board quarters at Perumbakkam, Chengalpattu District, which had already been allotted to them for rehabilitation and resettlement. However, the encroachers requested a grace period of 10 days, citing the upcoming Pongal festival and submitted written assurances that they would vacate the land on or before 18.01.2024, failing which eviction may be carried out on 19.01.2024. The report further states that the District Administration undertakes to implement the directions of this Tribunal in full, immediately upon the expiry of the grace period.
Page 4 of 811. The District Collector, Chengalpattu District, in his report dated 29.05.2024, categorically stated that on 21.02.2024, the Revenue and Police authorities, along with SIPCOT officials, visited the Navalaur Lake for the purpose of evicting the aforesaid encroachers. Since the encroachers refused to occupy the TNUHDB tenements in Perumbakkam Village, alternatively, pattas were issued in Periyavelikadu Village of Cheyyur Taluk and the encroachment was evicted peacefully as directed by this Tribunal.
12. The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (SIPCOT), which is Respondent No.3, has filed the status report dated 20.11.2023, wherein it is stated that the subject lake, namely the Navalur Lake, measuring 33.43 Acres (13.53.5 Hectares) in Survey No.168, was ordered to be handed over to SIPCOT vide G.O. Ms. No.10, Revenue (LA) 5(2) Department, dated 03.01.2002. The Revenue Department formally transferred the land on 27.05.2002. The actual area handed over was 32.74 Acres (13.25.5 Hectares). SIPCOT's layout lies to the south of the lake, with urbanized areas surrounding the remaining boundaries. On the northwest side, 27 hutments have been identified as encroachments in the presence of Revenue officials. SIPCOT has paid Rs.6,58,746/- to TNUHDB for their resettlement at Perumbakkam. At the time of transfer, the lake's water-holding area was 10.60 Acres. It has now increased to 14.82 Acres. The water spread area remains 33.43 Acres. The lake has not been allotted for any industrial purpose and is maintained as a water body. The lake's storage capacity was 3.066 mcft as per the original memoir, and has increased to 8.30 mcft following desilting by SIPCOT. Navalur Lake is isolated and lacks natural inflow, with rainfall being the only source of water. Two stormwater drains carry runoff, but also bring untreated sewage from Navalur village.
13. It is further stated that the SIPCOT has installed a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to treat the inflow. Constructed Wetlands (CWL) have also been provided for the natural treatment of stormwater from the SIPCOT IT Park. There are eight open wells within the lake that recharge groundwater and Page 5 of 8 help prevent seawater intrusion. SIPCOT has also initiated tree plantation to increase carbon credits and installed solar panels for maintenance. To encourage community involvement, SIPCOT has developed walking and cycling tracks, parking facilities, toilets, and temporary shelters. A compound wall of 8 feet in height encloses the lake, except for 500 meters on the northeast side, pending relocation of the encroachments. Further, 2000 native tree saplings have been planted along the periphery to enhance air quality.
14. Respondent No.3 (SIPCOT), in its report dated 08.08.2024, stated that, as per the directions of this Tribunal, the lake was deepened by way of cutting the projections inside the water. The earth thus cut is utilized for creating an island of 25-meter dia inside the water spread of Navalur Lake. The island will be planted with native species that will attract the birds for nest and roost that will enhance the beauty of the lakе. Also, as directed by this Tribunal, vide Order dated 22.11.2023, the encroachment by a third party in the form of huts (27 Nos.) have been peacefully evicted on 21.02.2024 after issuing patta in Cheyyur Taluk by the District Administration. It is also stated that on completion of this Rejuvenation of Navalur Lake, the project will be inaugurated and will be made open to the public.
15. The SIPCOT also submitted an additional report dated 09.04.2025, reiterating the contents and submissions made in its earlier report.
16. Considered the pleadings, reports filed by the respondents and also heard the submissions made by the learned counsels.
17. It is an admitted fact that 33.43 Acres of land was transferred to SIPCOT by the Revenue Department vide G.O. Ms. No. 10 dated 03.01.2002. Of this, 14.82 Acres constitute the Full Tank Level (FTL) area, which remains physically undisturbed. The remaining 18.61 Acres, forming the peripheral area, have been developed with eco-friendly infrastructure such as walking and cycling tracks, constructed wetlands, open wells, STPs, and Page 6 of 8 nesting mounds.
18. The District Collector, Chengalpattu, in his report, confirmed through joint inspections the classification and extent of the land as per revenue records. The eco-restoration and public utility initiatives undertaken by SIPCOT were duly noted. It was further reported that 27 encroaching hutments were peacefully evicted on 21.02.2024, with rehabilitation provided by alternate patta allotments in Periyavelikadu Village, Cheyyur Taluk.
19. The 3rd Respondent (SIPCOT) has clarified that no industrial activity or permanent construction has been carried out within the lake bed. Post-desilting, the water spread area has increased from 10.60 Acres to 14.82 Acres, and the storage capacity has improved from 3.066 MCFT to 8.30 MCFT. Eco- recreational features such as STPs, wetlands, solar panels, native plantations (2000 saplings), and a bird habitat island created from cut earth have been developed. Photographic evidence has been submitted in support of these claims.
20. As stated earlier, the land transfer to SIPCOT in 2002 was lawful, and no portion of the lake's water spread area has been alienated for industrial or incompatible purposes. On the contrary, the lake's hydrological and ecological capacity has been enhanced. The infrastructure created is eco-sensitive and includes desilting, bund strengthening, plantation, and stormwater treatment. The eviction of encroachments was carried out peacefully with proper rehabilitation. There is no substantiated evidence of construction debris dumping or unauthorized structures within the lake, as alleged in the newspaper report. The project aligns with the broader goals of urban water body rejuvenation and sustainable development.
21. This Tribunal, while acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of the authorities in carrying out the eviction and restoration process, is of the view that no further issues remain for consideration.
Page 7 of 822. Accordingly, the Original Application [O.A. No.92 of 2023 (SZ)] stands disposed of with the following directions to SIPCOT:
(i) To preserve the rejuvenated water body as a model of integrated eco-restoration and urban resilience;
(ii) To ensure that the water spread area is maintained free from future encroachments;
(iii) To ensure that all peripheral developments remain eco-compatible, with effective operation of stormwater and sewage treatment units to prevent any form of contamination;
(iv) To explore and secure appropriate financial contributions from surrounding industries for the continued maintenance and ecological enhancement of the lake; and
(v) To consider implementing rooftop rainwater harvesting systems in adjacent industrial area, with a focus on channelling the collected water into designated storage structures within the site, rather than limiting them to groundwater recharge alone, so as to enhance surface water availability and reduce pressure on aquifers.
Sd/-
Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM Sd/-
Dr. Satyagopal Korlapati, EM Internet - Yes/No All India NGT Reporter - Yes/No O.A. No.92/2023 (SZ) 05th August, 2025. Mn.
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