THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The iconic Vembanad lake — the lifeline of the state’s backwater tourism — is operating far beyond its ecological limits.
The lake’s recreational carrying capacity has exceeded by almost 200%, with 926 houseboats currently operating against a permissible limit of 461. A recent study, commissioned by the State Wetland Authority Kerala (SWAK), has recommended immediate moratorium on new registrations and strict permit-based controls to protect the Ramsar-listed wetland.
SWAK launched the study following a High Court order based on a petition filed by some houseboat owners and the fishing community against the State Maritime Board granting permission for more vessels to operate.
The study, Recreational Carrying Capacity of Vembanad Lake for Sustainable Wetland Tourism, was done with technical assistance from the Centre for Water Research Development Management.
Maritime Board urged to implement permit system
An official with SWAK told the TNIE that the report will be submitted before the HC soon. “Vembanad Lake is under severe ecological stress from overcrowded tourism and untreated waste discharge. Without regulation, the system will become unsustainable -- both environmentally and economically,” the official said, adding that further action on the study will be undertaken based on the HC order.
Water quality tests from houseboat discharges revealed dangerously high pollution levels, including extreme biochemical oxygen demand (BOD up to 1,600 mg/L) and bacterial contamination. Many boats were found to be overloaded, with over 80% violating safety norms, the study says.
The report urges the Kerala Maritime Board to implement a permit and tracking system, ban unregistered vessels, and transition of the fleet to solar or battery propulsion within five years. It also calls for zoning the lake into core, buffer, and regulated areas, improved waste management at terminals, and continuous water quality monitoring.
Jomon Konnakapally of the Kerala Houseboat Owners Association said the industry is struggling because of unchecked operation of boats and the degrading of the lake. “The houseboat is the main product that attracts 80% of the tourists to the state. However, owing to lack of interventions from the government, the industry is collapsing,” said Jomon.
Meanwhile, the State Maritime Board has termed the study baseless and unscientific. “The Inland Vessel Act doesn’t define any parameters for fixing the carrying capacity of a lake. It (the study) is not scientific as the Centre is yet to fix the parameters on the carrying capacity of any waterbody and how much area is allowed for each houseboat,” said an official.
According to the board, it has already launched a crackdown on unregistered and illegal boats operating in the backwaters. “The registration and licence of the boats are given based on the Inland Vessel Act. There are stringent norms in the Act for managing liquid and solid waste management. There is a lobby with vested interest in the houseboat industry and the case they have given is baseless. The carrying capacity study will not stand in the court as there is no scientific basis,” the official said.
Houseboats in Vembanad lake (through watercraft census)
No. of houseboats from satellite images: 954 (Dec 2024)
Houseboats registered under Port authority: 821 (Feb 2025)
No. of houseboats counted through drone survey: 926 (May 2025)
No. of boats allowable in Vembanad lake at a time as per recreational carrying capacity
Houseboat: 461
Shikara: 136
Motorboat: 227
Speed boat: 76
Other boats: 13
