District administration awaits court order on removal of illegal resorts in STR

The district administration is awaiting the Madras High Court’s order, which directed the State government to initiate action against illegal resorts operating inside the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR), remove them, and submit a compliance report on January 19.

Based on a public interest litigation filed by environmental activist R. Karpagam of Coimbatore, which stated that illegal resorts functioning inside the reserve were causing severe environmental damage to the hill region, the government informed the court that 42 illegal resorts were in operation and that notices had been issued to them. However, the court observed that wildlife should not be disturbed and directed that action be taken at the earliest. Official sources said they are awaiting a copy of the court order to decide on the next course of action.