Madras High Court stays transfer of Bharathiar University land to TIDCO, says it will destroy elephant corridor

An aerial view of Bharathiar University campus in Coimbatore, abutting the hill stretching between Marudhamalai and Kanuvai in the background.

A Special Division Bench of the Madras High Court hearing environment and forest-related cases has stayed the transfer of 196 acres belonging to the Bharathiar University in Coimbatore to the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TDCO) to establish non-polluting or technology-based industries.

Chennai-based petitioner S. Muralidharan brought to the attention of the Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and G.K. Muthukumaar that a Government Order (G.O.(Ms) No.89 - Higher Education (H2) Department) dated March 14 this year ordered for the transfer of 196 acres belonging to the university to TIDCO to establish non-polluting or technology-based industries.

The G.O. had also ordered that 77 acres belonging to the university situated near the foothills of Marudhamalai be taken by the government to utilise as elephant corridor.

The Bench observed that the Court in 2024 issued two orders of status quo, when the petitioner challenged the previous government’s plan to develop a Tech City in the locality, taking note of the fact that the area is used as a migratory path for the elephants.

“Since it is admitted that the area is used as a migratory path for the elephants, we are of the view that, transferring such lands for industrial purposes will destroy not only the corridor but also the entire ecosystem prevailing in that area”, the Bench stated in its order on October 30, 2026, staying the G.O. issued by the Higher Education (H2) Department in March.

The Bench directed the Special Government Pleader to file a report on the matter at the next hearing on January 8, 2027.

Coimbatore / nature and wildlife / forests / habitat (conservation)