Business owners protest move to close Kalhatty Ghat Road to tourist vehicles

Small business owners and private safari vehicle operators in Masinagudi, in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), closed their businesses and observed a bandh on Friday (July 10, 2026) in opposition to the imminent closure of the Kalhatty Ghat Road for tourists.

The Madras High Court recently passed orders directing that a status report be filed by the State government on why tourist traffic was permitted to ascend the Kalhatty Ghat Road, stating that the stretch must remain closed to tourists until further orders.

It may be noted that tourist vehicles are already prohibited from descending the Kalhatty Ghat Road, while the restrictions are less stringent for local vehicles, which are allowed to use the road that cuts through critical tiger and elephant habitats from early morning until evening.

Conservationists have, for years, urged the government to regulate tourism and the increasing traffic passing through the Kalhatty Ghat Road
| Photo Credit:
M. Sathyamoorthy

The business owners argue that they stand to lose revenue generated from tourists passing through the tiger reserve, though the alternative route, via Gudalur, remains open for all vehicles, and is usually only a 30-minute detour to the tiger reserve.

Conservationists have, for years, urged the government to regulate tourism and the increasing traffic passing through the Kalhatty Ghat Road, arguing that disturbances to wildlife as well as roadkills have risen over the past few years due to the same.

Wildlife biologists have documented the deaths of leopards, langurs, and even Striped hyenas, besides smaller fauna, such as snakes and endemic birds, over the past few years in the region.

Speaking to The Hindu, a senior Forest Department official said that during the road’s closure, which was in effect during the peak tourist season, there was a noticeable decrease in the amount of plastic waste generated and fewer disturbances to wildlife.

Another Adivasi elder, from the village of Vazhaithottam, also said that tribal communities in the region neither benefited from the eco-tourism in the region, nor were they negatively impacted by it. “We have informed the Forest Department that the safari vehicle operators are all mostly non-tribal settlers, and that if they were permitting eco-tourism in our villages, Adivasis should be given preference to operate the vehicles along these routes,” he said.

Another one of the court’s directions was to strictly regulate private vehicle safaris. After many operators were filmed disturbing wildlife during these safaris, the court had ordered that checkposts be set up along the roads leading up to Moyar, Chemmanatham, Singara, and Bokkapuram. The Forest Department was also directed to give preference to safari vehicles operated by members from the Adivasi communities and determine the maximum number of trips that can be undertaken in a specific area.

When contacted, Nilgiris Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru said the new rules are likely to have little to no negative impact on eco-tourism in the region. “With regard to the checkposts, we think it will actually be more beneficial to vehicle safari operators; because tourist vehicles will not be allowed along these routes, more people will opt for vehicle safaris,” said Ms. Tanneeru.

The district administration and the police would hold discussions with local residents, she said, adding that tourist vehicles would still be allowed up until Masinagudi and Mavanallah via Gudalur, ensuring that resorts and homestays do not lose out on business either.

The Forest Department officials said that any check-posts to be set up would be done so in conjunction with the police and under the orders of the District Collector.