25 illegal homestays sealed in the Nilgiris

The committees formed as per the direction of the Madras High Court to clamp down on illegal homestays and cottages have sealed up to 25 properties, the Nilgiris Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru said.

Addressing the media in the Nilgiris, Ms. Tanneeru said the committees, headed by District Revenue Officers, had sealed 20-25 properties since the High Court issued the direction a few months ago. “It’s a continuous process, and now, I think the resort owners are planning to approach the court, as we were only directed to seal the properties, and no further instructions were issued,” she said.

The Collector said the drive would continue, with the district administration taking stock of the homestays and cottages operating illegally. She added that it was also a long process to seal the properties as per procedure. “We have to issue notices, give them [owners] time to respond, and produce documents, and only after that can we seal the premises,” she said.

The Collector said the district administration was taking steps to streamline the process of obtaining building permissions. “We are giving priority to local residents looking to build houses,” Ms. Tanneeru said.

She said a helpline had been set up for residents to get in touch with the district administration in an effort to cut off middlemen who may be attempting to defraud the people by promising building permissions.

Estate fined

The Nilgiris forest division on Tuesday imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh on the owner and manager of a private estate for organising illegal tourism activities. The Forest Department said the Hungerford Tea Estate had been organising such activities on its premises. Following an inquiry, the fine was imposed on the estate owner and manager.