HC prohibits Nilgiri wildlife assn members from entering reserve forest area

The Madras High Court has banned until further orders members of the Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association and the general public from entering the reserve forest area in Nilgiris district.

Stating that the court was interested in protecting the reserve forest area and its animals, Justice N Kirubakaran on Tuesday said officials shall enter the area for discharging their official functions alone.

"This court is interested in protecting the reserve forest area and also the animals. Therefore, interest of justice requires prohibiting any person, including the members of the association, from entering the reserve forest area, except forest officials, until further orders," Justice Kirubakaran said.

He passed the interim order on a plea filed by advocate L Seetharaman, who sought a direction to authorities to verify the antecedents of newly admitted members of the association in the interest of forest, wildlife and nature.

The petitioner sought removal of those with criminal antecedents and those unconnected with the cause of conservation.

The judge directed the Nilgiris district collector to issue a circular to individual members and public notice to the general public. He said through websites objections, details of members' antecedents should be invited and a report should be filed.

The judge said though the matter relates to the administration of an association, from the arguments put forth by the parties it was seen that in the name of association members people entered the reserve forest area and allegedly poached animals.

The very object of the association was for protection of wildlife, conservation of environment and natural resources of the Nilgiris, the judge said.

"From the counter affidavit filed by the Nilgiris district collector, prima facie, it is clear that the association is not functioning satisfactorily and the members are busy in fighting for the membership of the association as it gives a social status to them as servants of environment and wildlife," the judge said.

The prohibited reserve forest area was being used for recreational activities, not only by the members but also by their guests, the judge noted.

The judge said though it was not stated in the counter about the role of some forest officials, the court could infer from the arguments that some officials were also involved.

The petitioner submitted that the association was established by the Britishers in 1877 with the objective of conserving wildlife and natural resources of the Nilgiri hills.

Of late, some criminals and anti-social elements got themselves inducted in the association as its members, he alleged.

The judge posted the matter for further hearing on October 4.