Can TN show the model for the country in conservation?

The state government will publish and notify the first official map defining the elephant corridors in Nilgiris in the first week of January as directed by the Madras high court, thus setting in motion the restoration of the traditional pathways of elephants. If Tamil Nadu can thus restore and preserve the centuries-old corridors for pachyderms, it will emerge as a role model for conservation in the country grappling with several instances of man-animal conflict.

The forest department has already submitted to the high court a map of demarcated boundaries of the corridor prepared by an expert committee led by chief wildlife warden after field trips, case studies and a thorough interaction with the tribals and NGOs working in Nilgiris biosphere. The map has defined the elephant corridors linking the forests of Bandipur, Mudumalai, Wayanad and Sathyamangalam, rich in bio-diversity and abundant wildlife.
Superimposing the corridor map over the revenue map of TN areas, the government will publish in the local media the survey numbers of lands falling within the corridor to identify and thereafter remove the ‘blocks’. The HC had fixed January 6 as the deadline. The government will publish the maps and notify it, highly placed sources in the government said.

Individuals would be given an opportunity to represent their cases in public hearings for a month once the survey numbers overlapping the elephant corridor are published, forest officials said insisting that the government would have to demolish illegal structures and take over patta lands by providing compensation.
Concerned by the obstructions caused to wild animals in the elephant corridors in the Sigur plateau of the Nilgiris biosphere, the Madras high court had issued orders that all the illegal buildings and unauthorised electric connections and solar fencings in the identified elephant corridors should be removed scrupulously without disturbing the tribals and traditional dwellers.

“The HC judgment should be implemented in its true spirit and should not be diluted for any other reason,” says Ajay Desai, a specialist on elephants. Terming the judgment path breaking, he said proper implementation of the order would have positive impact nationally.

Acting on the HC order, Nilgiris collector would issue orders directing Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) to disconnect power supply to all the illegal and unauthorised commercial buildings having three-phase connections in the first week of January, said sources. In the meantime, the forest department has directed Nilgiris (North) district forest officer to clear solar fencing in the plateau disturbing the movement of elephants.

According to activists over 50 illegal holiday resorts are located close to reserve forests that serve as elephant habitats in the Nilgiris. N Mohanraj, coordinator, WWF, said: “This is only the beginning. The yardstick should be used elsewhere too.’’ He also pointed out that this would open up opportunities for the locals to generate revenue by ecotourism followed by ample possibilities for employment. Dharmalingam Venugopal, director, Nilgiris Documentation Centre, said: “The court order should be implemented ruthlessly. Actions should be taken legally against the violators. It is ‘now or never’ for Nilgiris.’’