The Public Works Department (PWD) had leased the lake for fishing for a period of one year from January 2008. In October, the lake was declared a sanctuary and the Forest Department had written to the PWD asking for cancellation of the agreement, officials of the Forest Department said.

“However, the PWD said that the lease period was coming to close in two months. They said that they would not renew the lease agreement . Following the end of the agreement period, which was on January 23, the Conservator of Forests issued a deadline till February 17 to stop all fishing activities in the lake,” Agriculture Officer of the department Siva Shanmugam said.

As per the Wildlife Protection Act, poaching, hunting, fishing and any activity, which was against ecology, had been banned in sanctuaries, he said.

“Despite the ban and deadline, fishing activity was going on in the lake. On Wednesday, we inspected the lake and found two unmanned boats on the water. We seized the boats, which had nearly nine fishing nets on board, and brought them to the department. Nobody has claimed the boats so far,” he added.

The Forest Department had strictly enforced the ban on fishing in the lake and formed protection squads to check for violations, Mr. Shanmugam said. “We have started developmental works at the lake.

The lake bunds are being cleaned and bushes cleared. The protection squads check the spot from 5 a.m. every day and we have also posted a few persons for night vigilance. Those who violate the ban will be arrested and produced in court,” he said.