Forest dept has cleared Perur project: TNSCB

But interestingly the NOC categorically states that the forest department can’t be held responsible for any damage to human life and properties caused by wildlife. The NOC further states that in the event of any such mishap no compensation will be paid by the forest department. The NOC granted pertains residential building in Perur Chettipalayam villages over a built-up area of 93,016 square metre. Similarly, in the NOC granted for construction of houses in Alanthurai village for an area of 20,936 square metre, the forest department has stated that since the area is located nearby Boluvampatti reserved forest, which is known for its wildlife diversity, elephants, panthers and other wild animals frequently stray out from the reserved forests to neighbouring patta lands. The NOC also very clearly stated that there are possibilities of man-animal conflict if the project is completed and people are settled.

The division bench comprising Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad before whom the NOC’s were filed recorded the same and adjourned the case for further hearing. The Vellingiri Hill Tribal Protection Society represented by its president V Loganathan had contended that TNSCB under the ‘Home for Everyone Scheme’ is planning to construct 600 residences in Alanthurai-Kalimangalam, 1,540 houses near the forest in Thenkarai Village, 2,500 houses near the hill area in Chettipalayam village in Perur and 70 houses for tribals in Pachana Vayal area in Alanthurai village. But all the said three villages-Alanthurai, Tenkarai and Perur Chettipalayam come under the Hill area Conservation Authority.

The plea on citing that already in the villages coming under the Hill Area Conservation Authority many unauthorised constructions and large scale projects near the hills has led to elephants coming into the residential areas and causing large number of deaths and loss to crops, submitted that under these circumstances it is highly dangerous for the government itself to undertake such large unauthorised constructions without any approval and proper impact assessments about elephant habitats.