The Supreme Court has refused to interfere with the Madras High Court’s judgment directing protection of the Segur Elephant Corridor in Tamil Nadu, holding that the measures ordered by the High Court for safeguarding the corridor must be implemented in full.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana dismissed a batch of Special Leave Petitions, including one filed by M/s Jungle Hut, challenging the Madras High Court’s directions concerning resorts and commercial establishments situated within the notified elephant corridor. Declining to interfere with the High Court’s verdict, the Court observed:
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“We see no ground to interfere with the impugned judgment(s) of the High Court. The measures directed by the High Court for protecting the elephant corridors need to be given effect.”
While affirming the High Court’s directions, the Bench granted limited liberty to the State of Tamil Nadu to identify lands suitable for acquisition, clarifying that such lands should not be owned or possessed by tribal communities. The Court further observed that if the State encounters difficulties during the acquisition process, it would be at liberty to seek appropriate modifications before the High Court.
Recognising that some petitioners had lost their livelihood as a consequence of the High Court’s judgment, the Supreme Court permitted them to approach the State Government for alternative rehabilitation. It directed that such representations be considered sympathetically. At the same time, the Court categorically ruled:
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“All those petitioners who, by virtue of the High Court judgment, were deprived of their livelihood may approach the State Government for providing some alternative source of livelihood. Such a request shall be considered sympathetically. We, however, make it clear that no commercial activity whatsoever shall be allowed to run in the subject area.”
