High Court directs verification of documents of 33 resorts in Anaikatti near Coimbatore

A special Division Bench of the Madras High Court hearing environment and forest-related cases has directed authorities in Coimbatore district to verify documents relating to 33 resorts in Anaikatti area, including 23 resorts that have allegedly been left out in previous inspections.

In August, the Bench, comprising Justices N. Sathish Kumar and K. Rajasekar, had directed Coimbatore District Collector to close the eight resorts identified by a committee headed by the Collector as they lacked proper planning permissions or other requisite permissions. Two resorts were found to have obtained permissions on July 1, 2026.

The Bench in its latest direction on September 18 ordered for inspection and verification of documents of all resorts in Anaikatti area after Chennai-based petitioner S. Muralidharan submitted a list of 33 resorts — including the eight resorts that were ordered to be closed and the two having approvals.

As per the order, the authorities concerned have been directed to conduct a further inspection of the area and verify the documents relating to all resorts. “If any violation is found upon such inspection and verification, necessary action shall be taken in accordance with law against all such illegal resorts and commercial establishments functioning in the area”, the order said.

Some of the resorts, which were ordered to be closed, submitted before the court in their impleading petitions that they are in possession of valid documents in respect of their properties. The court directed them to produce all necessary documents before the authorities concerned for verification. The authorities have been directed to permit them to continue their operations in accordance with law, if they have obtained valid licences and permissions.

As per the order, if authorities find absence of valid licence or permission for running the resorts or for carrying on any other commercial activities, including those under the bed-and-breakfast scheme, such resorts or establishments shall be closed.

“The authorities shall also bear in mind that if any such document is found to have been issued by an incompetent authority, the same shall not be relied upon for the purpose of permitting the continuation of the resort or other commercial activity”, the order said.

With regard to a prayer seeking ban of night traffic on State Highway 164 (Coimbatore–Anaikatti Road), the court was informed that metal beam crash barriers at four locations have been removed on the road to facilitate the safe movement and crossing of wild animals, based on the recommendations of the Forest Department.

Rumble strips have been provided at five locations in the ghat section to control vehicular speed and improve the safety of wild animals. Advance information and warning sign boards have also been installed at various locations identified as potential wild animal crossing points.