The National Green Tribunal directed authorities to keep sealed resort buildings shut within the Segur elephant corridor in Tamil Nadu [1].
This order ensures that critical wildlife habitats remain undisturbed by commercial infrastructure. Because elephant corridors are essential for migration and genetic diversity, preventing the reopening of these resorts reduces the risk of human-wildlife conflict.
The tribunal issued the order on Nov. 3, 2023 [1]. The directive specifically targets resort buildings that had previously been sealed to prevent the encroachment of commercial interests into protected environmental zones.
By maintaining the sealed status of these structures, the NGT aims to safeguard the natural movement of elephants. The Segur corridor serves as a vital link for elephant populations, and the presence of active resorts can obstruct traditional migratory paths, leading to increased incidents of elephants entering human settlements.
Authorities are now tasked with ensuring these buildings do not resume operations. This enforcement is part of a broader effort to prioritize ecological stability over tourism development in sensitive regions of Tamil Nadu [1].
“The National Green Tribunal directed authorities to keep sealed resort buildings shut”
This ruling reinforces the legal priority of wildlife corridors over commercial land use in India. By upholding the sealed status of these resorts, the NGT is setting a precedent that existing infrastructure in critical habitats may be permanently disabled to ensure the survival of endangered species and the safety of local human populations.
