ERODE: A special task force comprising Erode district administrative officials on Thursday sealed 21 unauthorized resorts in the buffer zones of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve on Thursday.The task force comprising three teams sealed the resorts as directed by the Madras high court which acted on a public interest litigation filed by environmental activist R Karpagam of Coimbatore. The petitioner successfully argued that multiple resorts were operating illegally in the Hasanur, Germalam, and Thalavadi panchayats without acquiring mandatory clearances from the Hill Area Conservation Authority and the National Board for Wildlife.“Operating in the ecologically sensitive buffer zones of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, these illegal structures have drawn severe judicial scrutiny for disrupting local wildlife corridors and fracturing the pristine ecosystem,” said an official. He added that out of the 23 targeted properties earmarked for closure, two resorts managed to secure interim stay orders from the Madras high court, halting enforcement drive against them. The remaining 21 unpermitted establishments have been sealed,” the official added.The operation was spearheaded by P Madhavan, special officer for the Hasanur, Germalam and Thalamalai panchayats. Around 25 police personnel were deployed to ensure maintain law and order.
