We The Leaders founder K. Annamalai on Saturday (August 22, 2026) urged the Tamil Nadu government to constitute a high-level committee comprising officials from the Forest, Revenue, and Land Survey departments, the Theni district administration, and technical experts to re-survey land using satellite/DGPS-based methods at the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve.

In a post on X, Mr. Annamalai said more than 1.5 lakh people had been living for several generations in 14 panchayats adjoining the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve in Theni district. But their livelihoods, including agriculture, plantation work, and livestock rearing, were being affected due to forest protection measures.

He said farmers who held patta land were facing restrictions in cultivating their own fields and had been facing difficulties at check-posts while transporting vegetables and agricultural produce to the market. As a result, the daily livelihoods of thousands of families were being affected, he said.

According to Mr. Annamalai, it was unfair to treat those who had been living in these areas for several years and commercial encroachers equally. “The Supreme Court judgment in May 2026 made it clear that while encroachments must be removed, rehabilitation measures for the affected public should also be carried out. Therefore, instead of taking measures that deprive people of their livelihoods, the Tamil Nadu government should address the issue on humanitarian grounds by providing alternative housing and livelihoods to them,” Mr. Annamalai said.

He said protecting the forests and tiger reserve was as important as protecting the livelihoods of people who had lived there for several generations. He urged the government to find a permanent solution to this issue.

Published - August 22, 2026 02:29 pm IST