Coimbatore district administration has moved to shut down 10 resorts in the Anaikatti region after the Madras High Court issued strict directions against unauthorised operations. Officials have also been asked to verify documents of other resorts, with monitoring by a district-level committee led by the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO).
The case stems from a petition filed by Chennai-based social activist Muralidharan, who alleged that resorts were being run illegally in dense forest areas of Anaikatti, including encroachments on water bodies and locations along elephant corridors, causing environmental damage.
Earlier, the High Court had directed an inspection and report by a committee headed by the District Collector. The report stated that two resorts had obtained approvals while eight were operating without permission. The court ordered immediate closure of the eight and sought a complete verification of the approvals granted to the two, as the permissions were said to have been issued about a month earlier.
During a subsequent hearing, the question of whether the resorts had obtained clearance from the HACA (Hill Area Conservation Authority) committee was raised. The court indicated that if HACA approval was not in place, all resorts could face closure.
Notices were placed by Veerappandi panchayat (No. 24) in front of Dolphin Resort and Corniche Club on Anaikatti Road, and the administration proceeded to close the remaining resorts as well. Collector Pavan Kumar said notices have been issued seeking details of approvals from multiple departments, and further steps under DTCP provisions are being taken against resorts lacking valid documents, under the supervision of the RDO-led committee.
