Taking a serious note of encroachments within the protected areas of the Agasthyamalai ecological landscape in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the Supreme Court has directed that a time-bound eviction plan be prepared and implemented on a priority basis. The apex court also directed that disciplinary and legal action be initiated against all identified 118 serving and retired government servants who are found to be encroachers.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said encroachments within the protected areas of Agasthyamalai landscape have persisted and proliferated over several decades despite specific directions issued by the Madras High Court and the orders passed by the top court.
It said the eviction plan should include comprehensive measures for physical eviction, legal action against wilful violators and post-eviction ecological restoration.
