IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17.03.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN

WP No.13711 of 2022  and  WMP N   os.  4739, 7882, 7883,  7933   of 2026, 12992   of 2022

Dr.R.Karpagam

W/o.S.Ramalingam,

8/44, Ansari Street, Ramnagar, Coimbatore.

Petitioner Vs

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and

Chief Wildlife Warden,

Department of Forests,

Govt. of Tamil Nadu

No.1 Jeenis Road, Panagal Buildings

Saidapet, Chennai -600015 and 52 others

Respondents

                            For Petitioner(s):                 Mr. SP.Chockalingam

For Respondent(s):Dr. T.Seenivasan

Special Government Pleader (Forests) for R1 and R2

Mr. K.Karthik Jagannath Government Advocate for R5 and R6

Mr. V.Anandamurthy for R11 to R13 and R17

Mrs. D.Geetha

for R10, R14, R21, R22 to R24, R26 and R27

Mr. M.R.Jothimanian for Mr. K.Balu for R25 and R28

Mr. M.R.Thangavel for R31, R32, R34 to R39, R41 to R45, R47 and R53

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by the Hon’ble Chief Justice)

In this public interest litigation seeking to address the issue of illegal resorts/farm houses run in the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve Forest, we have by order dated 21.11.2025 directed the authorities to submit an action taken report in respect of the illegal resorts constructed.

2. It is submitted by learned State Counsel that inspection was carried out and among the 53 resorts/farm houses located within the eco-sensitive zone, 11 resorts have been found to be run with valid permission and enforcement action was taken against 42 resorts as they were run without any license or permission.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that still there are several resorts which have been listed out by him in the affidavit filed today, where action is yet to be taken.
4. Responding to the aforesaid allegation, learned State Counsel submitted that they are in the process of taking action against all other left our resorts/farm houses and they will file a fresh status report by listing out the action taken in this regard.
5. Three weeks time is granted to the respondents to take further action in respect of other resorts and file a status report.
6. W.M.P.Nos.7933 and 7882 of 2026 have been filed seeking clarification and W.M.P.No.4739 of 2026 has been filed seeking impleadment.  It is contended that even though appeals have been filed challenging the lock and seal notices, the authorities are not taking up the appeal in view of the pendency of the petition before this court.
7. It is made clear that if any action is contemplated against the illegal resorts, it is for the person concerned to approach the appellate authority against the notices issued.  In the event of any appeal being filed before the statutory appellate authority, it is for the appellate authority to consider the appeal on its own merits without reference to the pendency of this writ petition.
8. WMP Nos. 4739, 7933 and 7882 of 2026 are closed.

List the writ petition 7.4.2026 for filing of fresh status report.

(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,CJ)      (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)

                 17.03.2026

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