in re Elephant corridor.

Madras High Court is ruling in a case related to protection of elephant corridors in the region. Concerned by constructions in the elephant corridor in the Sigur plateau of the Nilgiris hills, the Court had asked the Electricity Board in November 2009 to disconnect power supply to all illegal commercial buildings. Resort owners went in appeal and claimed before the court that the corridor was flawed. However, the court felt there was 'voluminous material on record' to indicate that resort owners had indulged in destruction of nature and obstructed passage of wildlife. On Thursday, the HC ordered resort owners and others to vacate the land in three months. In fact, the court has also ruled against disturbing tribals living in the corridor. Also, traditional forest dwellers, other than tribals, living in the area for more than 75 years, will be treated on par with the tribals. However, they have to prove possession of land for the period. Though originally the Tamil Nadu government estimated that the identified land extended up to 600 acres, it later issued an order declaring 4,225 acres in Sigur Plateau as elephant corridor. The high court upheld the legality of the declaration. The Centre too informed the bench that it was in agreement with the state government's stand.