Supreme Court Orders Evictions in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
· India · The Hindu, Hindustan Times, Moneycontrol
The Supreme Court has directed a time-bound eviction plan for thousands of households in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, located across Tamil Nadu and Kerala, following recommendations from the Central Empowered Committee. The court ordered the removal of all encroaching structures and utilities, while granting immunity to officials involved in the survey and eviction process. Additionally, the bench prohibited the diversion of forest land for non-forest activities within the reserve until all encroachments are cleared. The state government must also decide on the status of infrastructure belonging to the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation, Ltd. in the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
Why it matters
The order impacts thousands of forest-dwelling families and raises concerns regarding the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, which was designed to protect the rights of traditional forest residents.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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