New Delhi (Agency): Resorts and other buildings located in the Segur Valley elephant corridor of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) may soon be demolished. A Supreme Court-appointed panel has reportedly rejected an appeal from the owners of these establishments.
In 2018, the Supreme Court had asked the Nilgiris collector to identify resorts built without proper permission in the Segur Valley. This action led to the sealing of 40 resorts, comprising around 400 rooms. Resort and land owners then approached the apex court, which upheld a 2009 Madras high court verdict. The court also appointed a three-member committee to review the owners’ claims.
Headed by retired judge Justice K. Venkatraman, the committee examined land, building, and title disputes. After visiting the Segur corridor and hearing from the affected parties, the panel has now instructed resort owners to take down the buildings in the corridor themselves. While the owners can seek permission to unseal and remove items from their buildings, there is no set timeframe for demolition.
According to sources in the district administration, the committee has been sending replies to individual petitioners. On the other hand, green organizations reveal that several resort owners have already received replies. The committee denied their appeals, citing violations of the Tamil Nadu Preservation of Private Forests Act. They also pointed out that the construction of commercial buildings without proper permits obstructs the elephant pathway. Restoring this corridor is vital for the free movement of wild elephants.
This decision raises a serious question about balancing development and conservation. While the resort owners are contemplating moving to the Supreme Court for a review, environmental activists see this as a positive step for the conservation of wildlife and their habitats.
The issue touches on larger debates about land use and environmental preservation, making it a case that could set a precedent for other regions facing similar challenges. With the committee’s decision, the future of these resorts looks bleak, but it could be a turning point for environmental conservation efforts in India.