A recent eye-opening study by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) in Kozhikode has unveiled a shocking truth: houseboat activities in Vembanad Lake have soared far past what the environment can sustainably handle. The number of registered boats is nearly 200% higher than what’s considered safe and permissible.
The report, aptly titled ‘A Study on the Recreational Carrying Capacity of Vembanad Lake for Sustainable Tourism,’ submitted to the State Wetland Authority Kerala (SWAK), points out a drastic change. Ideally, there should be just one houseboat for every 20 acres of the lake. However, the reality in Vembanad is starkly different, with less than 10 acres supporting each houseboat. This severe overcrowding is placing immense ecological pressure on the system, making the current situation undeniably unsustainable, as highlighted by the report.
Alarming Registration and Operations
To grasp the full extent of the problem, scientists meticulously assessed the Recreational Carrying Capacity (RCC) of houseboats in the southern part of Vembanad Lake, a globally recognized Ramsar site, specifically south of the Thanneermukkom barrage. According to their findings, the area can safely accommodate only 461 houseboats at any given time. Yet, official records from the Port Authority reveal a staggering 1,625 boats registered across Alappuzha and Kottayam, including 821 houseboats. Furthermore, a detailed drone survey conducted by the study team identified 926 houseboats operating in the area. This difference of 105 vessels suggests a significant number of boats are likely operating without proper registration or licenses.
The report emphasizes that while this uncontrolled system might offer quick economic gains and satisfy tourists in the short term, its long-term consequence is severe environmental degradation. It clearly states that operational capacities have vastly outstripped sustainable limits. To bring back ecological balance, the study strongly advises reducing the number of all boat types by a substantial 58–80%.
Urgent Need for Strict Regulations
The CWRDM report strongly advocates for immediate legal measures to restrict or regulate houseboats registered outside the Alappuzha Port Registry from operating in Vembanad Lake. It insists that only vessels officially registered under the Alappuzha Port Registry and possessing valid environmental consent from the Kerala State Pollution Control Board should be allowed to operate south of the Thannermukkom barrage. The report also recommends maintaining the existing moratorium on new houseboat registrations under the Alappuzha Port Registry until these operations are effectively streamlined according to the RCC guidelines.
Beyond environmental concerns, the study also uncovered critical safety issues. The average passenger utilization efficiency was found to be an astonishing 205.2%, meaning most houseboats were carrying more than double their legal passenger capacity. A concerning 83.5% of vessels were observed to be exceeding their legal limits, pointing to widespread non-compliance with crucial safety norms. The most extreme violation recorded was an alarming 850%, highlighting the severe safety risks prevalent within the industry.
To prevent houseboat tourism from further harming the delicate wetland ecosystems, the report urgently proposes the implementation of a comprehensive, enforceable, and environmentally responsible garbage management plan.