Pics: Thejaswi U Poojary
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Jul 3: A year after Daijiworld.com highlighted the alarming plastic pollution choking the scenic Manipal Lake, the issue has led to significant administrative action, with the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone Bench, Chennai, taking suo motu cognisance of the matter and the Udupi district administration initiating a series of measures to restore and rejuvenate the lake.
The developments stem from a Daijiworld.com report published on July 10, 2025, titled, ‘Udupi: Plastic waste, sludge mar beauty of Manipal Lake, cries for urgent cleanup’. The report exposed the accumulation of plastic waste, food wrappers, bottles, and other non-biodegradable materials around the lake, drawing widespread public attention to the deteriorating condition of one of Manipal's prominent water bodies.
Taking note of the report, the National Green Tribunal's Southern Zone Bench in Chennai initiated suo motu proceedings regarding the pollution caused by the indiscriminate dumping of waste in and around Manipal Lake.
Following the tribunal's intervention, the Udupi district administration convened a meeting on January 16, 2026, under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner of Udupi to deliberate on immediate and long-term measures for protecting and developing the lake.
During the meeting, the commissioner of Udupi City Municipality was instructed to undertake the immediate removal of plastic waste and other accumulated garbage from Manipal Lake and its surroundings and submit a compliance report.
The municipality was further directed to deploy four sanitation workers exclusively for continuous cleaning operations around the lake, install awareness signboards discouraging littering, and provide garbage bins at strategic locations to prevent the indiscriminate dumping of waste by visitors.
In its compliance report, the Udupi City Municipality informed the district administration that sanitation workers had been deployed for the regular maintenance of the lake surroundings. Garbage bins have been installed, and awareness initiatives have been launched to educate the public on maintaining cleanliness.
Beyond the immediate cleanup, the district administration entrusted Nirmithi Kendra, Udupi, with preparing a comprehensive phased development plan for the rejuvenation and beautification of Manipal Lake.
Accordingly, Nirmithi Kendra has prepared a three-phase master plan estimated at Rs 37.4 crore, aimed at transforming the lake into a major public recreational and eco-tourism destination while ensuring environmental conservation.
The proposed development includes:
Phase 1: The first phase focuses on creating public recreational infrastructure and includes a walking track, cycling track, electrification, an Ayurvedic garden, landscaping, a toilet block, an outdoor gym, a children's play area, CCTV surveillance, and a skating rink, at an estimated cost of Rs 10.4 crore.
Phase 2: The second phase focuses on environmental protection and supporting infrastructure, including a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), lake embankment protection works, vehicle parking facilities, an improved approach road, and a multipurpose indoor stadium, at an estimated cost of Rs 8 crore.
Phase 3: The final phase envisages tourism-oriented facilities such as a restaurant, gazebo, floating restaurant, and resort facilities, at an estimated cost of Rs 19 crore.
The district administration has also initiated measures to improve the ecological health of the lake.
As resolved in the meeting of the Lake Rejuvenation Single-Window Committee of the Udupi Urban Development Authority (UUDA), a project to increase the water level of Manipal Lake has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore.
The authority has accorded technical approval to the estimate, and the commissioner of UUDA has been instructed to proceed with the tender process in accordance with established procedures.
In addition, the development of a public park around the lake has been taken up for consideration through the utilisation of Rs 5 crore from the Garden Land Utilisation Fund of the Udupi Urban Development Authority. The commissioner and the assistant executive engineer of UUDA have been directed to prepare detailed estimates and initiate the necessary action for the project.
According to the district administration, the various decisions regarding cleanup, infrastructure development, environmental restoration, and public amenities have been taken through meetings of the District-level Committee, ensuring coordinated implementation among the concerned departments.
The action initiated following the NGT's intervention after the Daijiworld.com report marks a significant step towards restoring the ecological balance of Manipal Lake while simultaneously developing it into a well-maintained public space for residents and visitors.
The case also highlights the impact of Daijiworld.com's report on the deteriorating condition of the lake, which directly led to judicial intervention and comprehensive administrative action aimed at safeguarding one of Udupi district's important urban water bodies.