Suggesting implementation of the Certificate of Survey rules of Inland Vessels Act, 2021 in its letter and spirit is the only way to decongest the prolonged issue of over-crowding and congestions leading to carrying capacity issues faced by Vembanad Lake in the district, the House Boat owners from the district have called for strict action against House Boats which are registered elsewhere in the state, and plying in the district.
Although, the Kerala Maritime Board has issued a notification early this month directing the concerned enforcement agencies, including Port Officers, Port Conservators, Surveyors and Enforcement Officials to identify mechanically propelled inland vessels which are operating without a valid Certificate of Survey and take action, according to operators who are registered in the district, the enforcement of the order has been lax and patchy.
Stating the statutory position, the Kerala Maritime Board circular has noted that the Certificate of Survey not only specifies the physical condition and safety of the vessel, but also specifies the zone intended for operation or the applicable voyage or service of the vessel. “Accordingly, …an inland vessel shall not be permitted to operate, proceed on a voyage or provide service beyond the plying limit specified in its valid Certificate of Survey. If any violation in respect of plying limit occurs, such violation will amount to non-compliance with the statutory conditions attached to the Certificate of Survey and shall attract appropriate enforcement action under the applicable provisions of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and the Rules made thereunder,” it said.
A recent study by the Centre for Water Resources Development & Management (CWRDM) has found that recreational houseboats operations in the Vembanad Lake have exceeded 200% over the carrying capacity creating adverse impact on the ecology. Recognising the carrying capacity issue, the state government had stopped registration of mechanically propelled houseboats in Alappuzha a few years ago.
However, that move by the government didn’t help much, as people started registering their boats in other districts and operating it in Alappuzha.
“There are more than 300 houseboats, both non-registered and registered in other districts like Trichur and Kozhikode operating in Vembanad Lake. They are really big capacity houseboats,” said a House Boat owner from the district. There are an estimated 1,200 house boats operating in the lake, while the actual carrying capacity as per a 2014 study was 450, he said.
While the circular issued by the Kerala Maritime Board CEO called for strict action and reporting of the violations and action taken, the local House boat owners felt that the enforcement is lacking.
The local players feel that if the rules are strictly implemented as far as the area of operations are concerned, those operators will be forced to go back and work hard to develop a market for themselves in their areas, eventually help spreading flavour of backwater tourism to new areas.