Supreme Court forms panel headed by ex-CJI BR Gavai to oversee evictions in Tamil Nadu's Agasthyamalai ecological landscape

The Supreme Court on Friday formed a special committee headed by former Chief Justice of India BR Gavai to supervise the eviction and rehabilitation exercise in the protected areas of the Agasthyamalai ecological landscape in Tamil NaduA bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta held the Tamil Nadu government responsible for the delay in the process of receiving identifying and adjudicating the claims under the Forest Rights ActThe top court also directed the state government to complete the formation of the remaining Gram Sabhas in 30 daysA Special Committee is hereby constituted headed by Justice BR Gavai former Chief Justice of India to be assisted by an officer of the CEC Central Empowered Committee and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests amp Head of Forest Force State of Tamil Nadu The Chairperson shall be at liberty to identify a suitable officer of the CEC to assist the committee in the discharge of its functionsThe Committee shall scrutinise the orders passed by the competent authorities under the FRA 2006 in respect of the claims received and shall submit its report to this Court in a sealed cover the bench saidThe committee shall also supervise the expeditious disposal of the claims by issuing necessary directions to the authorities concerned it saidThe apex court said the committee shall commence its functioning forthwithThe State of Tamil Nadu shall provide all necessary logistical and administrative assistance to the Committee for carrying out its functions with due deference to the status of the Honble Chairperson For this purpose an officer to the rank of Joint Secretary Administration shall be designated as the Nodal Officer to coordinate with the Committee and facilitate the provision of all necessary assistance required in the functioning of the Committee it addedTaking a serious note of encroachments within the protected areas of the Agasthyamalai ecological landscape in Tamil Nadu the top court had earlier directed that a timebound eviction plan be prepared and implemented on priorityThe apex court had also directed that disciplinary and legal action be initiated against all identified 118 serving and retired government servants found to be encroachers thereIt had said encroachments within the protected areas of Agasthyamalai landscape including the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve the SrivilliputhurMegamalai Tiger Reserve and the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary have persisted and proliferated over several decades despite specific directions issued by the Madras High Court and the orders passed by the apex courtThe top court had delivered its verdict on May 29 on a plea raising issues including those concerning preservation of reserve forests wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves in Tamil NaduIt had noted that as per a July 2025 interim report of the Central Empowered Committee the Agasthyamalai ecological landscape covers 350036 square km encompassing several districts of Tamil Nadu and KeralaThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever