COIMBATORE: Forty-two unauthorised resorts in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) were sealed by authorities on Tuesday in compliance with court directions.

The action follows a public interest litigation by environmental activist R Karpagam from Coimbatore, alleging that illegal resorts were functioning inside the reserve without obtaining mandatory approvals from Hill Area Conservation Authority and other regulatory bodies.

On the court’s directions to take action and submit an action taken report by 19 January, the authorities issued notices to resorts functioning illegally in areas including Thalavadi, Hassanur, Thalumalai and surrounding areas.

They were directed to obtain proper permission by 13 January, failing which, they would be shut down.

Following this, the officials sealed them all and pasted closure notices on the premises.