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Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu is famous for its unique flora and fauna, the scenic beauty, and the lush green mountain ranges. The Neelakurinjini flower in Kodaikanal is one of its kind and once the flower blooms the entire mountain range is covered with little purple flowers. The flower is a special attraction to the tourists since it blooms only once in every 12 years.
But even since the tourism took a boost at this place illegal and unauthorized constructions have become a threat to the flora and fauna of the hill station. Animals, plants and the entire ecosystem have been adversely affected by the continuous dumping of waste in the open fields. There have been many instances of the hotels and resorts dumping solid waste in open which causes many diseases, degrades the environment and acts as a breading place for many insects. Even the residential societies have been involved in polluting their surroundings.
The Madras High Court, while hearing a petition filed by The Kodaikanal Hotel and Resort Owners Association, gave directions to preserve the natural habitat of the city. The main issue before the HC was that the Section – 32(2) of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 requires the Master Plan to be updated every 5 years. But in the past this plan has not been updates and the old plan is now out of date and hence has ceased to be useful. And because of this the statutory mandate mentioned in the Tamil Nadu Act of 35, 1972 cannot be complied with. This is creating a major issue for all the hotel and resort owners in the area and hence this petition has been filed by them.
The High Court heard the matter and came to a conclusion that it is very necessary to preserve the ecosystem of the beautiful city. They gave orders to stop all the illegal construction in the city. All the plans have to be sanctioned by the authorities and only then the builders can proceed with the construction. Any process which initiated without the prior permissions of the Municipal Bodies of the city shall be liable to be demolished and the associated persons shall be put to question before the court of law.
Further the High Court also asked the District Collector of Dindigul to submit reports to certify that all the illegal and unauthorized constructions have been brought down or have been stopped in the city. The District Collector shall make one such report every 6 months. This report should also mention that there are no polluting activities being conducted in the city by the residents or the hotel and resort owners. They should publish this report on the official website of the Tamil Nadu government from time to time.
In the end, the Court held that one goes to the city of Kodaikanal to breathe in the fresh cold breeze of the mountains, to soothe his eyes with the lush green surroundings and to enjoy the environment in an absolutely different manner. In order to maintain the purity of the city it is necessary to undertake certain steps towards the preservation and development of a clean and green environment.
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