Thirteen resorts operating without required approvals in and around an elephant movement corridor in Coimbatore district have been closed by their owners, while authorities are taking final steps to shut 12 more properties, according to a report submitted by District Collector Pavan Kumar to the Madras High Court.
The action follows a petition filed by social activist Muralidharan, who alleged that illegal resorts were operating in the forest area around Anaikatti and obstructing a route used by elephants. The court had directed the district administration to conduct a field inspection and initiate legal action against properties found to be operating unlawfully.
An initial district administration report identified 10 resorts in the area, of which two were described as having approvals and eight as operating without permission. The court ordered the immediate closure of unauthorised resorts and directed officials to verify the documents of properties claiming to have approvals.
After the petitioner submitted an additional affidavit listing 33 locations, the court ordered a wider inspection. A joint team comprising officials from the town and country planning department, rural development department, revenue department and forest department subsequently inspected all 33 sites and checked the available documents.
The collector’s latest report states that 13 resorts had been operating without approvals from the town and country planning department, the local panchayat or the forest department, including the required no-objection clearance. These properties have been closed by their owners. Final action is under way to close 12 additional resorts, the report says.
The inspection identified three properties — Darsa Resorts, My Village Eco Tourist Resort and Wild Door Cafe — as operating with approvals, according to the district administration. Five other locations were classified as residences rather than resorts. The report also recorded specific planning violations at some properties.
At the Karamadai Aaraa Jungle Resort premises, the town and country planning department issued a notice after finding additional buildings that did not match the approved plan. SR Jungle Resort has applied for building approval and has approached the court seeking an order directing the planning department to issue permission within eight weeks. The collector told the court that a closure notice had nevertheless been issued.
The petitioner has sought further action beyond sealing the properties. Muralidharan said permanent fencing at the 13 closed resorts and the five locations classified as residences should be removed so that wildlife can move freely through the area. He also sought disconnection of electricity supplies to the closed resorts.
He further questioned the approvals claimed by three resorts, saying they had been inspected in December 2025 and February 2026 and had allegedly operated without permission until then. He urged that the three properties be added to the case and issued notices. The latest report places the next steps within the court-monitored enforcement process, including final action against the 12 properties and verification of approvals and building compliance.
