The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday ordered notice to the State on a public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to the authorities to remove unauthorised commercial constructions put up in the buffer zone of Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Mannavanur at Kodaikanal in Dindigul district and restore it to its original position.

A Division Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman was hearing the petition filed by S. M. Balakrishnan, M. Selvaganapathi, K. Pavalan, G. Senthil Murugan and P. Vadivel of Kodaikanal.

The petitioners said Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) was located in the Western Ghats. In 2012, its buffer zone was expanded to include parts of Kodaikanal and Dindigul forest divisions, bringing the total protected area to 1,479.87 Sq km (958.59 sq km core + 521.28 sq km buffer). The main objective of the expansion was to secure wildlife corridors and manage biodiversity across the Palani Hills.

Anamalai Tiger Reserve supports several species of endangered wild animals. Lands situated in Mannavanur came under the zone that had been declared as Critical Tiger habitat buffer zones. Despite this, there were a large number of unauthorised commercial constructions in the region, they said.

No permission had been obtained from the authorities and in the guise of tourism the local officials were not regulating the uncontrolled traffic. Moreover, loud music was being played in the area. It not only caused nuisance to the residents but also affected the wildlife. The unauthorised constructions were actively supported by the panchayat authorities, they said.

The Statute specifically prohibits any construction of tourist lodges, including government lodges for commercial purposes, hotels, zoos and safari parks inside a sanctuary except with the prior approval of the National Board for Wildlife. The unauthorised commercial constructions are liable to be removed, the petitioners said.

The court directed the matter to be placed before the Forest Bench and posted the matter for hearing to July 17.