Madras HC seeks govt reports on Kodaikanal lake tiger sightings by June 25
Madurai: Madras high court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to file reports by June 25 on a public interest litigation seeking protection for Berijam Lake in Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary following reported tiger sightings.A division bench of justice N Sathish Kumar and justice M Jothiraman pa
By Ram Sundaram
Madurai: Madras high court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to file reports by June 25 on a public interest litigation seeking protection for Berijam Lake in Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary following reported tiger sightings.A division bench of justice N Sathish Kumar and justice M Jothiraman passed the direction on a petition filed by Madurai advocate R Manibharathi.
The petition seeks curbs on vehicular entry into Berijam Lake, a scientific census, an expert conservation plan and examination of whether the area can be recommended for notification as a tiger reserve under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.The respondents include the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the state environment and forests department, the principal chief conservator of forests, Dindigul collector and the district forest officer, Kodaikanal.The petitioner said Berijam Lake is located about 21km southwest of Kodaikanal inside Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary and forms part of a wildlife movement corridor.
He said the sanctuary links Anamalai Tiger Reserve with forests of the eastern ghats and supports shola-grassland ecosystems.The petition said a video circulated on social media on May 17 showed tourists recording three tigers near Berijam Lake from inside a car.
It also referred to a May 18 report that the forest department restricted tourist entry to Berijam Lake after the sighting.The petitioner said tigers are a Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and the sightings require a study to determine whether Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary is only a movement corridor or has the capacity to support a resident tiger population.He said unregulated tourism, vehicular movement and commercial activity around Berijam Lake could affect tiger movement and public safety.
The petition sought a direction to enforce restrictions on commercial tourism and vehicular movement in and around Berijam Lake in accordance with law.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in MaduraiStay updated with the latest Madurai news.
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