Dear All,
Sharing a news item regarding mushrooming of resorts adjoining the reserve forests in the nilgiris.
Sabyasachi

50 illegal resorts in elephant habitat
Shantha Thiagarajan, TNN 19 November 2009, 04:21am IST
UDHAGAMANDALAM: At least 50 illegal holiday resorts are located close to reserve forests that serve as elephant habitats in the Nilgiris, activists said on the eve of a hearing in a case relating to violations of wildlife protection laws.

Four forest tracts in the Nilgiris have been identified as elephant corridors, where all construction and installation of electric fences are prohibited. However, official studies show that large swathes of land in these corridors are under private ownership. Portions of these lands have been leased out for commercial activity without proper licences and approval from the district administration.

On Thursday, when a case relating to violations of wildlife protection laws and man-animal conflicts in the region comes up for hearing in the Madras High Court, the forest department will present a detailed map showing land use along the 120 sqkm elephant corridor. Acting on the HC's directions, the forest department had undertaken a detailed study and mapping of elephant habitats.

Link to Source article:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/h...ow/5245539.cms