Five resorts near Anaicutty closed following Madras High Court order

The Coimbatore district administration has closed five resorts in the Nanjundapuram and No. 24 Veerapandi village panchayats located near the ecologically sensitive forest area of the Western Ghats. According to a report by The Hindu, this step was taken as these resorts did not possess various approvals required for their operations.

Officials from various departments carried out this action based on the directives of the Madras High Court. A senior official involved in the operation stated that the five establishments closed in this action include 'Darza Resorts' and 'Five Star Garden Restaurant' in Nanjundapuram village, as well as 'Bruh 43 Resto and Cafe', 'Elephant Country Farm Stay', and 'Sarva Farm House (Farm Retreat)' in No. 24 Veerapandi.

In a status report submitted before the special division bench of the High Court in this matter on October 8, 2026, the Coimbatore District Collector informed that a total of 33 resorts and institutions in No. 24 Veerapandi, Nanjundapuram, and Karamadai village panchayats were inspected by officials from various departments. The purpose of this inspection was to verify various approvals, including those obtained from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), local panchayat, building license, and the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Forest Department.

紆The Collector informed the court that during this inquiry, 13 resorts had already been closed and another 12 resorts were issued notices as part of the closure process. The five resorts sealed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, were among these 12 resorts whose inquiries were underway. The team involved in the closure of these resorts included Coimbatore North Tahsildar K. Jayakumar, DTCP Assistant Director Pavithra, Periyanaickenpalayam Block Development Officer, and other officials.

The concerned official further added that the closed resorts lacked the necessary building approvals for old and recently constructed buildings, which is a violation of the rules.

A bench of Justice N. Sathish Kumar and Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan directed the Collector on October 8 to file a status report regarding the closure process of the resorts that were issued notices by Friday, November 13, 2026.