Tamil Nadu’s encroachment problem

The Supreme Court has recently emphasized the need for a structured, time-bound, and closely monitored framework to address the issue of encroachments in the Agasthyamalai landscape of Tamil Nadu. Encroachments in protected areas, including tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, have persisted over decades despite directions from the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court suggested using paramilitary forces to evict the encroachers to preserve the ecologically sensitive regions. In 2020, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) submitted its interim report recommending a time-bound, division-wise encroachment eviction plan. The Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, identified with significant encroachments and lack of verified maps, had seen encroachments amounting to 427.40 hectares, of which 237.09 hectares involved litigation.

The Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve, crucial for the Vaigai River's water supply, had around 4,595 individuals encroaching upon 5,071.27 hectares of reserved forest land. The CEC noted that these encroachments involved permanent cultivation of crops and that encroachers included government employees. The State of Tamil Nadu acknowledged the challenges, including resistance from encroachers, ongoing court cases, and many encroachers being landless and from economically weaker sections.

However, it was directed to initiate disciplinary and legal actions against the identified encroachers and to prohibit the approval of new non-forestry activities within the Agasthyamalai landscape. The new coalition government faces the challenge of evicting thousands of families and rehabilitating them while restoring the original forests.