Supreme Court Orders Clearing of Resorts and Buildings In Segur to Make Way for Wildlife

Reported by

Sumana

Legal Data by

Edited by

Updated by

Published on

January 16, 2017

January 16, 2017

Updated on

January 16, 2017

Location of Conflict

Masinagudi

The Nilgiris

Reason or Cause of Conflict

Protected Areas

(

)

People Affected by Conflict

23000

Households Affected by Conflict

Land Area Affected (in Hectares)

202

ha

Starting Year

2008

State

Tamil Nadu

Sector

Conservation and Forestry
Summary
Fact Sheet
Legal Data
Additional
Information
Resources
Images
Videos

In 2008, a PIL filed in the Madras High Court asked that at least 500 acres of the Segur Plateau be cleared of human habitation after the Wildlife Trust of India identified it as an important elephant migratory path. Based on the court's directive the state government published several versions of a map demarcating 5 elephant corridors extending over 2800 ha. The maps were contested by the local communities and the many resorts that were affected (some 50 odd resorts). In the meantime, tribal communities in the area (about 300 families) also filed a PIL asking for their rights to be settled under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The extent of the corridors has been hotly contested with some wildlife biologists, locals and resort owners saying the entire plateau does not need to be protected and that there are several corridors which are free of disturbance and if these are protected, it would be adequate. In 2011, the Madras High Court, based on the state forest department's map, gave the resorts 3 months to vacate the land and said that they could not claim compensation. This order was stayed by the Supreme Court. In 2016, 1000 acres of revenue land in the corridor was notified as reserve forest by the forest department. However, there is still no word on settlement of forest rights or rehabilitation measures that would be extended to the local community. Local villagers are demanding their rights under FRA be settled before the forest department takes control of the land. The court case is still pending and in the meantime there continues to be some police action periodically and continued tension and uncertainty for the villages. In January 2020, the Supreme Court ordered that the area must be cleared of resorts and other buildings and make way for wildlife.

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Refusal to give up land for the project

Demand for rehabilitation

Demand for legal recognition of land rights

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Both

Type of Common Land

Forest and Non-Forest, Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)

Total investment involved (in Crores):

₹

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws, Environmental Laws, Constitutional Law, Procedural Laws

Legislations/Policies Involved

Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
Section 3(1)(a) [This section recognises the right of forest dwellers to hold and live in forest land under either individual or common occupation, to either live on or cultivate]; Section 3(1)(f) [This section grants to forest dwellers rights over disputed land regardless of the nature of dispute]; Section 3(h) [This section lays down the right of forest dwellers to conversion of forest villages into revenue villages]; Section 4(1) [This section vests all forest rights in Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers]; Section 4(2) [This section lays down stringent conditions which must be fulfilled before any forest dwellers are resettled or any of their rights are affected]; Section 6 [This section lays down the procedure to be followed to file claims under the Act]
Tamil Nadu Preservation of Private Forests Act, 1949
Section 3(1)(a) [Preservation of private forests - No owner of any private forest shall, without the previous sanction of the Committee sell, mortgage, lease or otherwise alienate the whole or any portion of the forest]
Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
No specific provision - Chapter IV [Protected areas]; Entry 17A [Forests]; Entry 17B [Protection of wild animals and birds]
Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971
Section 47 [Use and development of land to be in conformity with development plan]; Section 48 [Restrictions on buildings and lands, in the area of the planning authority]

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Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Non-implementation/violation of FRA

Scheduled Tribe status or lack of status

Legal Status:

In Court

Status of Case In Court

Disposed

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

Supreme Court; Madras High Court

Case Number

Appeal Nos. 3438-3439 of 2020; W.P.Nos.10098 of 2008

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

No items found.

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Date of Violation

Location of Violation

Nature of Protest

No items found.

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Tamil Nadu Forest Department

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Tourist Resorts

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

WWF-India

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Documented By

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Reviewed By

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Updated By

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Edited By

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