Elephants in a protected forest in India could regain access to habitat occupied by unauthorized resorts following a recent ruling.
The Madras High Court ordered the immediate demolition of 87 unauthorized commercial resort buildings and other structures.
Here's what to know
In Tamil Nadu's Erode district, the properties sit inside Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve's protected perimeter, on an ecologically sensitive elephant passage, according to News Today.
The proceedings detailed unauthorized nighttime tourism, unapproved construction, and illegal commercial activity in sensitive areas along the forest's edges. A division bench issued its ruling while considering public interest lawsuits and reviewing administrative inspection findings.
The court found that the expansion of commercial enterprises breached protections for critical tiger habitats. It also identified violations of environmental impact assessment requirements and the Tamil Nadu Forest Act.
More background
Commercial development creates barriers to elephants moving through their habitat. The bench stressed the importance of keeping those routes connected to reduce worsening conflict between people and wildlife.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
For forest conservationists who supported the ruling, the hope is that clearing commercial encroachments will reopen wildlife migration routes across a landscape linking the Western and Eastern Ghats.
What's being done?
Under the high court's order, every property covered by the demolition directive must immediately lose its electricity and water connections.
The ruling also targeted officials who enabled or ignored unlawful layout approvals. State authorities were instructed to pursue penalties against them.
Where can I learn more?
Elephant rescues in India offer another look at efforts to protect the animals, while court cases elsewhere focus on threats to wildlife habitat and forests.
• In India, fishermen rescued an elephant calf from the Teesta River, reuniting it with its herd.
• In Assam, a rescued elephant calf found comfort with another orphan after arriving wrapped in ropes.
• An Illinois judge halted a logging plan after Forest Service approval skipped a bat review.
• An Arizona judge said the Forest Service ignored yellow-billed cuckoo habitat in a mine expansion.
• In Ireland, residents won a court halt against plans to fell half of Merlin Woods.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
