Tamil Nadu: Illegal resorts located on Nilgiris elephant corridor sealed

A committee formed to review the functioning of these resorts was expected to submit its report before the apex court in October, they added. The process of sealing the resorts was completed by 8 PM, the sources said.

The top court had, on August 9, directed the Tamil Nadu government to seal or close down the 27 resorts constructed on the elephant corridor within 48 hours. The court gave the direction after perusing the report placed before it by the Nilgiris district collector, which said resorts with restaurants were operating in the area without approval.

The Supreme Court had observed that elephants were a “national heritage” and expressed displeasure as to how constructions had come upon the elephant corridor of Nilgiris. Meanwhile, traders in and around Masinagudi area decided to down their shutters for three days in protest against the closure of the resorts.

They claimed that the move to seal the resorts would adversely affect their livelihood.