Western Ghats | Madras HC Orders Action Against Private Resorts For Illegally Diverting Flow Of Natural Waterfalls To Attract Tourists
The Madras High Court on Monday directed the District Collectors of Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Coimbatore and Ooty to form a committee to curtail illegal diversion of the natural flow of waterfalls by the private resorts, who have created artificial waterfalls at their properties. "We are of the view that the natural waterfalls which emerge after thousands of years of natural wear,...
The Madras High Court on Monday directed the District Collectors of Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Coimbatore and Ooty to form a committee to curtail illegal diversion of the natural flow of waterfalls by the private resorts, who have created artificial waterfalls at their properties.
"We are of the view that the natural waterfalls which emerge after thousands of years of natural wear, tear, erosion and geomorphological changes, cannot be permitted to be cut and diverted by illegal means to the private resorts/estates/properties by the private persons," said the court.
The Madurai bench of Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Sathya Narayana Prasad directed the collectors to form a committee in their districts for inspection of the private resorts or estates in question.
"The said committee shall find out the private resorts/ estates/ properties who illegally diverted the flow of natural waterfalls into their properties and created artificial waterfalls and necessary action be immediately taken to seal those private resorts/estates/properties until further orders," said the court.
Apart from that, criminal proceedings shall also be initiated against such private resorts/ estates/ properties' owners. The District Collectors are also directed to initiate departmental action against the officers concerned who colluded with such private resorts/estates/properties' owners for such illegal diversion.