Supreme Court Orders Survey of Agasthyamalai Forests

On 5th April 2025, according to the judgment published (announced on 24th March 2025), the Supreme Court directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to survey the Agasthyamalai tropical forest ecosystems in the Western Ghats to detect non-forestry activities and encroachments.

Key Points

Forest Restoration Directive: The SC termed the survey an interim step to restore pristine forest areas and protect tiger habitats and wildlife sanctuaries.
UNESCO Recognised Biosphere Reserve: Agasthyamalai, a 3,500-sq km biosphere, is recognised under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB).
It spans across Tamil Nadu and Kerala and includes key reserves like Periyar and Meghamalai.
Identify Violations: The CEC is to record all non-forestry activities that violate the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
Comparative Forest Data: The CEC report must include before-and-after forest cover analysis to measure depletion and degradation levels.
Encroachments Under Scrutiny: Infrastructure like schools, banks, roads, and shops in reserved forest zones will be examined for removal.
Centre and State Support: Tamil Nadu and the Centre assured the Court they will fully comply with all conservation directives.
Rehabilitation Review Pending: The court will revisit the issue of worker rehabilitation from the Singampatti tea estate on April 22, 2025.
Climate Change Concern: The court emphasized forest loss as a key driver of climate change, worsened by urbanisation and encroachments.