Supreme Court mandates ecological restoration of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve

Hindustan Times - India · 2 Jun 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Environment Mains · GS3 Environment and biodiversity High relevance

The Supreme Court ordered immediate removal of encroachments and illegal structures in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, emphasizing constitutional environmental protection obligations and threatening paramilitary deployment for enforcement.

Key points

Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve spans Tamil Nadu and Kerala, encompassing tiger reserves like Periyar and Kalakkad-Mundanthurai, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional biodiversity in the Western Ghats.

The SC bench cited Article 48A (Directive Principle for environmental protection) and Article 51A(g) (fundamental duty to protect environment) while ordering demolition of illegal resorts and commercial establishments in protected forest areas.

Court directed disciplinary action against 118 serving/retired government employees found encroaching forest land under Tamil Nadu Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1973, with environmental restitution payments to CAMPA funds.

[GS3-Environment] The judgment addresses habitat degradation in one of India's 36 biodiversity hotspots, connecting to conservation challenges under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Forest Rights Act, 2006 tensions.

Central Empowered Committee (CEC) reported 4,600+ encroachments occupying 5,000+ hectares in Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve alone, highlighting systemic governance failures in forest protection.

[GS2-Governance] The order mandates time-bound eviction plans with ecological restoration, exposing gaps in inter-state coordination between Tamil Nadu and Kerala forest departments.

Court authorized paramilitary deployment if states fail compliance, invoking Article 144 (civil and judicial authorities to act in aid of SC) - a rare environmental enforcement measure.

Way Forward: States should establish inter-state coordination cells for Western Ghats protection, implement blockchain-based land records to prevent encroachments, and create eco-development committees for sustainable livelihood alternatives to reduce forest dependency.

Key terms

Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve

A UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve in the southern Western Ghats spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu, encompassing protected areas like Periyar Tiger Reserve. Its conservation significance stems from being home to 2,000+ plant species (including 400 endemic) and endangered species like the Nilgiri tahr, falling under India's National Biodiversity Action Plan priorities.

Central Empowered Committee (CEC)

A Supreme Court-constituted statutory body under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 to monitor forest and wildlife cases. It plays a pivotal oversight role in environmental governance by investigating violations, recommending actions, and ensuring compliance with court orders, particularly in sensitive ecological zones.

CAMPA Funds

Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority established under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016. It channels payments for forest land diversion towards afforestation and forest conservation, with state-level authorities managing 90% of funds - crucial for post-eviction ecological restoration ordered by the Court.

Article 48A

A Directive Principle of State Policy mandating environmental protection and improvement. Though not enforceable like fundamental rights, courts have interpreted it with Article 21 (right to life) to create justiciable environmental rights, forming the constitutional basis for this judgment's strict directives.