The Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu government to take action against 87 resorts which are operating without permissions in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in Erode district immediately. It directed the authorities to close down establishments and take further steps for demolition of buildings in accordance with law.
A division bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and G. K. Muthukumaar passed the directions on October 30, 2026 while hearing a petition filed by environmental activist Dr R. Karpagam pertaining to resorts operating in the protected forest area without planning approvals and land-use permissions.
The court’s directions came after the Erode District Collector submitted a status report stating that mandatory approvals were not granted for all 87 establishments.
87 Resorts Found Without Required Planning Approvals
None of the 87 resort establishments had planning permission or building approval from DTCP, says the district administration’s report.
The court also said that no records were available showing that the resorts had permission from HACA to change land use (residential to commercial).
Without these approvals there was doubt about legality of the establishments operating within Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve area.
After considering the report the bench said that action had to be taken immediately to close down illegal buildings. It further directed the authorities to take steps for demolition of these buildings.
Court Directs Authorities to Seal Resorts Operating Without Licences
S. P. Chokkalingam, counsel for petitioner said that some resorts which had been closed were allegedly running through the back door.
Taking note of the submission, the bench directed authorities to identify establishments without valid licences and permissions. Such resorts must be locked and sealed as per law followed by demolition as per law.
The direction is designed to prevent establishments from continuing commercial activity after closure proceedings have been initiated.
Court Questions Petitions Filed by Two Resorts
The bench also expressed concern over two resorts which had approached another division bench of Madras High Court and obtained interim orders against closure proceedings.
The judges said that the main matter regarding illegal resorts in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve was already being heard by the present bench which deals with forest related cases only.
The court said that two establishments had not disclosed pendency of main matter while approaching the other bench and “getting interim orders without disclosing this information meant they had not approached the court with clean hands.”
In order to avoid conflicting judicial orders the bench directed High Court Registry to tag the two separate petitions with main case and place before same bench after getting administrative orders from Chief Justice.
Erode Collector Asked to Submit Action-Taken Report by November 27
The Madras High Court has directed the authorities to take action against unauthorised establishments and submit a further status report on steps taken.
The matter is listed for next hearing on November 27, 2026. Erode District Collector should inform the court about the action taken to implement its directions.
These proceedings form part of a larger legal campaign against unauthorised resort operations in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
The latest directions emphasise that before commercial facilities are set up in protected and environmentally sensitive areas planning permissions, building permissions and land use permissions need to be obtained. Authorities will now report compliance with court direction at the next hearing.
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