Importance of the corridor
Segur Elephant Corridor Ruling: The Segur Elephant Corridor lies in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, connecting habitats of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam forests, and Bandipur National Park. It is a vital passage for Asian elephants, ensuring their seasonal migration and reducing human-animal conflict.
Static GK fact: India is home to over 60% of the world’s wild Asian elephant population.
Madras High Court decision
The Madras High Court recently upheld most of the recommendations of the Segur Plateau Elephant Corridor Inquiry Committee, formed under the directions of the Supreme Court. The court stressed balancing ecological conservation with private land rights.
Private landowners and land use
The ruling permitted private landowners to retain their lands, provided they adopt ecofriendly practices. They must avoid artificial barriers such as electric fencing and concrete walls, which obstruct elephant movement.
Static GK Tip: The Elephant is the National Heritage Animal of India, declared in 2010.
Land acquisition direction
The court directed the Tamil Nadu government to begin land acquisition for the corridor within six months. However, it set aside the committee’s recommendation to transfer all private properties to the state. This ensures a mix of voluntary acquisition and regulated land use.
Legal challenges and background
The case has roots in the 1991 private forest notification, which imposed restrictions on land use. Resort owners had long contested these restrictions, especially after the 2010 declaration of the elephant corridor. The Hospitality Association of Mudumalai continues to challenge these measures in court.
Ecological and conservation impact
The judgment is a significant step towards ensuring uninterrupted elephant movement across the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. By safeguarding the corridor, the ruling helps reduce man-animal conflicts and strengthens biodiversity conservation efforts.
Static GK fact: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first biosphere reserve in India, established in 1986.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Segur Elephant Corridor Ruling:
| Topic | Detail |
| Location | Segur Plateau, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu |
| Key species | Asian elephants |
| Court ruling | Madras High Court upheld most findings of the Inquiry Committee |
| Private land use | Allowed ecofriendly cultivation without barriers |
| Land acquisition | Directed within six months |
| Contested notifications | 1991 private forest notification, 2010 corridor declaration |
| Inquiry committee | Formed by the Supreme Court |
| Ongoing challenge | Hospitality Association of Mudumalai case |
| Conservation impact | Protects elephant migration routes and biodiversity |
| Static GK fact | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was India’s first, set up in 1986 |
