Supreme Court orders removal of encroachment from Agasthyamalai ecological landscape

 Why in News?

The Supreme Court of India has directed authorities in Tamil Nadu and Kerala to prepare and implement a time-bound eviction plan to remove encroachments from the protected areas of the Agasthyamalai ecological landscape. The Court also ordered disciplinary and legal action against identified serving and retired government officials involved in illegal encroachments.

Supreme Court’s Observations

• A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta noted that encroachments have continued and expanded over several decades.
• The Court observed that this occurred despite directions issued earlier by the Madras High Court and previous orders of the Supreme Court.
• Authorities have been directed to:
  • Prepare a time-bound eviction plan.
  • Implement eviction measures on priority.
  • Initiate disciplinary and legal proceedings against 118 identified serving and retired government servants found to be encroachers.

About Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve

• Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is situated in the southern part of the Western Ghats.
• It spans parts of both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• The biosphere reserve was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in March 2016.
• It is internationally recognized for its exceptional biodiversity and ecological significance.
• The biosphere reserve encompasses several important protected areas:
  • Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
• Ecological Significance
  • One of the most biodiverse regions of the Western Ghats.
  • Known for its rich endemism and high concentration of rare and threatened species.
  • A natural habitat of numerous rare medicinal plants and herbs.
  • Plays a crucial role in watershed conservation and climate regulation in southern India.
• Indigenous Communities
  • The reserve is home to the indigenous Kani Tribe.
  • The Kani people possess extensive traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and forest resources.

Source: AIR & UNESCO