A complete ban on commercial activities in a protected hilly region has been reiterated by a higher court, which confirmed the findings of an expert committee constituted by a national judicial authority. The committee’s ban included restrictions on resorts and hotels.

Individuals who purchased land in the area are permitted to retain ownership and engage only in eco-friendly cultivation that does not disturb wildlife movement and does not involve artificial barriers such as electrical, power, or solar fencing, according to a special bench of judges.

The court confirmed the committee’s findings, except for the recommendation to hand over private properties to the government.

The court directed the state authorities to notify all government-owned lands adjacent to the wildlife corridor, sanctuary, and buffer zones as reserved forest areas and to transfer them to the appropriate environmental department.

The court emphasized that, having officially notified the wildlife corridor to protect animal movement, the government must also balance the rights of private landowners and cannot remain inactive. Failure to act would result in landowners being unable to use their property for any purpose other than prohibited commercial activities.

Therefore, the bench instructed the state to acquire all private lands within the corridor, provide compensation to the owners, and carry out the acquisition in phases beginning within six months.

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