The Madras High Court has mandated a thorough joint inspection of Anaikatti, a village straddling the borders of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, to investigate claims of illegal resorts operating in the area. This decision arises amid growing concerns over the regulation of these establishments, especially with regard to their impact on wildlife protection, particularly elephants, and the local ecosystem.
The directive was issued by a bench comprising Justice N. Sathishkumar and Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy while hearing a writ petition filed by S. Muralidharan from Chennai. Muralidharan’s petition aims to curb the activities of illegal resorts in Anaikatti, advocating for stringent regulations to protect wildlife and limit inter-state night traffic.
The court’s order specifies that a committee, led by the Coimbatore Collector, along with the District Forest Officer, Block Development Officer, and the local Tahsildar, will carry out the inspection. Their primary mandate is to determine whether any properties in the area are functioning as tourist resorts lacking the requisite permissions from the Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA). The committee will assess if landowners have sought the necessary clearances for land-use conversion as mandated by HACA.
In addition to inspecting suspected illegal resorts, the panel is tasked with evaluating whether commercial activities are taking place without the appropriate licenses and if any operations violate regulations within this ecologically sensitive zone. The court has set a deadline for the panel to report its findings by November 28.
Furthermore, the court addressed Muralidharan’s request for a ban on nighttime traffic, suggesting various measures to mitigate risks in the region. The court proposed speed control and other protective measures along a four-kilometer stretch running through the Thadagam reserve forest within the Coimbatore Forest Division. These measures include the installation of warning signboards, enforcement of speed limits, and recommendations for drivers to utilize low-beam headlights while traversing the area.
This ruling underscores the importance of environmental safeguarding while balancing tourism and wildlife conservation in Tamil Nadu. As illegal resorts pose a significant threat to both the natural habitat and wildlife in Anaikatti, the court’s actions aim to ensure that any existing facilities operate within legal and environmental boundaries. The forthcoming inspection and subsequent report will play a crucial role in shaping future regulatory actions in the region.
By focusing on compliance and ecological preservation, the judiciary is taking a firm stance against unauthorized developments that could jeopardize the rich biodiversity of Tamil Nadu’s hill areas. The outcome of this initiative could serve as a pivotal moment for both local authorities and the community in balancing tourism, conservation, and sustainable development in the picturesque Anaikatti region.
As this situation unfolds, updates on the findings of the inspection committee and subsequent court actions will be important to monitor for residents and stakeholders in the Coimbatore district, highlighting the ongoing dialogue between development and environmental stewardship.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/hc-cracks-the-whip-on-illegal-resorts-in-anaikatti-forest/article70255666.ece
Category : Coimbatore
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Publish Date: 2025-11-09 18:41:00
