Delay in complying with Kerala HC directive on Ashtamudi Lake protection: Environment secy tenders apology

Kochi: State environment department special secretary Seeram Sambasiva Rao has tendered an unconditional apology before high court for the delay in complying with its directives concerning the protection of Ashtamudi Lake, a designated Ramsar site, in Kollam district.

In the affidavit tendering the apology, Rao also sought an additional two months to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the functioning and modalities of the Ashtamudi Wetland Management Unit (AWMU), along with an integrated management plan. The affidavit was filed in response to a contempt petition instituted by Boris Paul, a lawyer from Kollam, on whose petition HC had directed the constitution of the AWMU for the protection and maintenance of the Ashtamudi Wetland.

Earlier, in July 2025, HC had ordered the formation of the AWMU, headed by the Kollam district collector as chairperson, within two months. The order was passed in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Paul. HC had also directed the formulation of an SOP and an integrated management plan for the conservation and maintenance of Ashtamudi Lake.

Subsequently, in Dec 2025, the petitioner filed a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with the court’s directives. However, in Feb 2026, the state govt constituted the AWMU in compliance with the order and sought additional time to formulate the SOP. Accordingly, in April 2026, HC granted an additional month for the preparation of SOP, which expired in May.

The state govt has now approached HC seeking a further two months to prepare the SOP and the integrated management plan. It has clarified that compliance with these directives requires consultations and meetings with all concerned authorities, a time-consuming process expected to take at least two months. HC is scheduled to consider the request along with the contempt petition on June 11.