Anaikatti Resort Crackdown: 13 Shut, 12 More Face Closure Action

Coimbatore: Thirteen resorts in the Anaikatti region near Coimbatore have been closed, while closure proceedings have been initiated against 12 more establishments following a Madras High Court-directed inspection into alleged encroachments on elephant movement routes and the operation of resorts without mandatory approvals. The case came before the court after petitioner S. Muralidharan raised concerns over resorts and commercial establishments allegedly operating in areas used by wild elephants, potentially obstructing their movement through natural corridors. He also questioned whether the establishments had obtained the necessary statutory permissions. On October 7, Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar submitted a detailed status report to the High Court, outlining the findings of a joint inspection of 33 establishments in the Veerapandi and Nanjundapuram village panchayats under Periyanaickenpalayam block. The inspection was conducted by a team of officials from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), Forest Department, Rural Development Department and Revenue Department to verify the establishments’ legal status and compliance with planning regulations, building approvals and other mandatory clearances. According to the report, 13 establishments have been closed following scrutiny of their compliance with the applicable regulations. They include Anaikatti Hill View Cottages, Bharath Holidays Resort, Corniche Inn Resort, Dolphin Resort, Firefly Farm House, GMax Hill View Farm House, KK Selfie Point Resorts, Madhuram Cottage, Hills & Valleys Farm House, Kaattru Farm Stay and G Max. Two additional cottages in Kondanur and No. 24 Veerapandi were also among those shut. 12 More Establishments Face Closure Action Closure proceedings have been initiated against 12 other establishments where the inspection reportedly identified planning deviations and approval-related violations. These are Aara Jungle Resort, Blue Hills Club, Wild Woods Resort Anaikatti, Brew’s 43 Resto & Café, Elephant Country Farm Stay, Five Star Garden Restaurant, Sarva Farm House, Sikara Farm Retreat, SR Happy Valley Farms, SR Jungle Resort, SR MD Cottage and Safari Farms Resort & Leisure. The status report flagged construction deviations at Aara Jungle Resort in Karamadai, where additional structures had reportedly been built contrary to the approved plan. SR Jungle Resort had applied for building approval, but the district administration stated that closure proceedings had nevertheless been initiated. High Court Orders Wider Verification Following earlier proceedings involving eight resorts, the court directed the district administration to inspect additional establishments and verify their documents. It subsequently ordered a wider verification of 33 establishments in the region, directing the authorities to take appropriate action wherever valid licences or statutory approvals were found to be lacking. The Collector’s report identified three establishments—Darza Resorts, My Village Eco Tourist Resort and Wild Door Cafe—as having the required approvals. Five other locations were identified as individual residential properties rather than resorts. Concerns Over Wildlife Movement The proceedings have also raised concerns over fencing around closed resorts and its potential impact on wildlife movement. The petitioner has called for the removal of permanent fencing in areas used by wild animals, urging the authorities to ensure that elephants and other wildlife can move freely through their natural corridors. The district administration is taking further action through the concerned departments in accordance with the High Court’s directions.