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Restoration of Sigur Elephant Corridor
Context:
Efforts to restore the Sigur Elephant Corridor, a crucial ecological route connecting the Western and Eastern Ghats, have reached a critical point with a forthcoming hearing in the Madras High Court. The corridor’s restoration is vital for the movement of Asian elephants and other wildlife.
Petition and Court Proceedings:
- Current Status: The Madras High Court will hear a petition challenging the demolition of 35 resorts within the Sigur Elephant Corridor on October 14.
- Special Bench: A special forest bench has been constituted to address the petitions against the Supreme Court-approved demolition order.
- Supreme Court Involvement: The Supreme Court had appointed a committee led by Justice K Venkatraman, which mandated the demolition due to ecological concerns.
Significance of the Corridor:
- Ecological Importance: The corridor enables the movement of about 6,300 Asian elephants across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
- Biodiversity: Besides elephants, the corridor supports tigers and three critically endangered vulture species, and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Key Points on Sigur Elephant Corridor:
- Ecological Significance: The corridor is located in the fragile Sigur Plateau, connecting the Western and Eastern Ghats, and is crucial for sustaining elephant populations and their genetic diversity.
- Geographical Features: The plateau is bordered by the Nilgiri Hills to the southwest and the Moyar River Valley to the northeast.
- Wildlife Movement: Elephants traverse the plateau in search of food and water, highlighting its importance as a migration route.
- Biosphere Reserve Status: Sigur Plateau is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, recognised as a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Issues with Resorts:
- Legal Violations: The resorts were built without proper permissions, violating the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.
- Impact on Wildlife: The resorts have disrupted elephant movement by erecting electric fences and other barriers, leading to habitat fragmentation.
Environmental and Tourism Conflict:
- Committee Findings: The Segur Corridor Inquiry Committee reported that illegal resort construction obstructs vital migratory paths for elephants.
- Tourism Pressure: Increased human presence and unregulated tourism have led to environmental degradation and conflicts in the region.
Future Prospects:
- Operation Sigur: The district administration in Nilgiris is preparing for the demolition operation pending the court’s decision.
- Long-Term Goals: Restoring the corridor aims to mitigate ecological damage and ensure sustainable wildlife movement.