Madurai: The Madras High Court has ordered notice on a petition seeking the removal of hotels and resorts at Mannavanur in Kodaikanal, which falls within the buffer zone of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR).
S M Balakrishnan and four others from Kavunji village in Kodaikanal filed a public interest litigation claiming that several unauthorized commercial constructions, in the nature of hotels and resorts, had mushroomed in their village, which has been declared part of a critical tiger habitat buffer zone by the government.
Balakrishnan said 10 landowners had constructed commercial structures without obtaining permission from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the National Board for Wildlife. “Loud music is played in the area during night hours. This not only causes nuisance to us residents but also affects wildlife at large,” he said, adding that local authorities had failed to regulate uncontrolled traffic at night.
Citing Section 33(a) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits construction of hotels and lodges for commercial purposes without prior approval of the NBWL, Balakrishnan sought directions from the court to remove the structures in Mannavanur. The petition further alleged that local panchayat authorities were supporting the landowners in running these commercial entities.
On Wednesday, a division bench of justices N Sathish Kumar and N Jothiraman issued notices to the landowners and state forest department authorities. The matter was posted for hearing on July 17.
Background of Anamalai Tiger Reserve Expansion
In 2012, ATR, located in the western ghats of Tamil Nadu, was expanded to include parts of Kodaikanal in Dindigul district by bringing nearly 6,764 hectares under its buffer zone. The expansion was aimed at securing wildlife corridors and managing biodiversity across the hills. Mannavanur village consists of several sub-villages, including Kilavarai, Kavunji and Kombur, spread over 2,735 hectares.
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