The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a firm direction to remove encroachments in the Meghamalai region without delay, expressing displeasure over the pace of compliance.
The court noted that around 6,000 families from 98 villages are living in the area. With parts of Meghamalai falling within the Meghamalai Tiger Reserve, the court had earlier set an August 28 deadline to clear encroachments, a move that has triggered protests by local residents.
During the hearing, the Tamil Nadu government sought additional time to implement the court’s order. The judges rejected the request and reiterated that the encroachments must be cleared immediately.
The bench specifically directed that ilavam panju (silk cotton) plantations said to be encroaching on the tiger reserve must be removed at once, and that the land under such cultivation should be fully taken over. It also ordered demolition and removal of buildings in protected forest areas.
Warning of stricter steps, the court said paramilitary forces may have to be deployed to ensure the encroachments are cleared.
