Court directs stringent action against 87 illegal resort establishments operating without DTCP and HACA approvals; warns against backdoor operations and mandates tagging of related writ petitions to avoid conflicting orders.
In a significant judgment dated October 30, 2026, the Madras High Court (Division Bench) comprising Justices N. Sathish Kumar and G.K. Muthukumaar has taken a firm stand against illegal resort operations within the ecologically sensitive Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. The Court ordered the immediate closure, locking, and sealing of 87 resort establishments operating without requisite planning permissions and environmental clearances, and further directed demolition actions in accordance with law.
The case arose when Dr. R. Karpagam filed a writ petition challenging the legality of resorts functioning within the tiger reserve area. A status report filed by the District Collector of Erode revealed that none of these 87 resorts had obtained planning permission or building approval from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP). Moreover, no records showed that any of these establishments had secured permission from the Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA) for converting land use from residential to commercial activities.
The Court underscored the gravity of these illegal operations in a protected forest area, emphasizing the necessity of strict compliance with environmental and land use regulations to preserve the tiger reserve's fragile ecosystem. It held that such unauthorized establishments cannot be permitted to continue and must be shut down forthwith.
An additional concern raised before the Court was that some resorts continued to operate surreptitiously even after being ordered to close. The Court cautioned that any such backdoor operations would be dealt with sternly, including locking, sealing, and subsequent demolition under applicable laws.
The judgment also addressed procedural improprieties by two resort establishments that, while the matter was pending before this Division Bench, obtained interim relief from another Bench by suppressing the pendency of the connected case. The Court observed that this conduct reflected a lack of clean hands and directed the Registry to tag those writ petitions (W.P.No.19961 and 19963 of 2026) with the present petition to prevent conflicting orders. Listing of these matters will proceed after obtaining necessary orders from the Hon'ble Chief Justice.
The Court further directed the filing of a status report on the action taken against the illegal resorts by November 27, 2026, signaling ongoing judicial oversight to ensure enforcement.
This judgment reinforces the judiciary's commitment to environmental protection and strict enforcement of laws governing forest conservation and land use. It sends a clear message that commercial exploitation of protected areas without statutory permissions will not be tolerated.
Bottom Line:
Illegal resorts operating within Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve without DTCP building approval and without permission for conversion of land use cannot be permitted to continue; such establishments are liable to be immediately closed, locked and sealed, and demolition action can be taken in accordance with law. Writ petitions obtained from another Bench by suppressing pendency of connected matter before the special forest cases Division Bench are liable to be tagged to avoid conflicting orders.
Statutory provision(s):
- Directorate of Town and Country Planning Act/Regulations (applicable for planning permission)
- Hill Area Conservation Authority Regulations (for land use conversion permissions)
- Relevant Forest Conservation and Environmental Protection Laws (implicitly invoked)
