‘Wildlife in Tenkasi under extreme pressure due to tourism, illegal waterfalls and bungalows inside forest’

The tiger that was fatally knocked down by a train near Poolankudiyiruppu between Bhagavathipuram and Ariyankavu railway stations in the small hours of November 4, 2026. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The killing of the tiger on the railway track near Shencottai by a train has brought to light the fact that wild animals are fleeing to safer areas in neighbouring Keralam from the reserve forest of Tenkasi district, where resorts and bungalows with illegally created waterfalls built inside the forest to attract tourists exert extreme pressure on wildlife.Most of the lands even within the reserve forest in the Western Ghats are referred to as ‘aadheenam land’ or ‘math land’, which had been given decades ago on lease to poor families from this region for agricultural operations. They raised coconut and mango groves, paddy and silk cotton in these lands. Since there is no dearth for water, agriculture in this region was mostly profitable.However, the incessant drizzle in the forest between June and September, energizing climate prevailing between October and January, wild streams and a few hundred waterfalls along the Western Ghats attracted affluent families which took control of most of these lands by giving huge sums of money to the lessees.These rich people from Tamil Nadu and Keralam have built their bungalows and resorts, which are used for commercial purpose.According to a survey conducted by the Forest Department, around 156 resorts and bungalows have been built inside the reserve forest of the Western Ghats between Kadayam and Sivagiri. Artificial waterfalls have been created in 57 of these resorts and bungalows by illegally diverting wild streams at Erumaisavadi (16 resorts), Eanisaththi (2), Pasukkadai (4), Thenparai (15), Gundar (9) and Paimpozhil (11).The forest personnel, who have been serving in Tenkasi Forest Division for 10 years or more, say the human pressure on the reserve forests between Kadayam and Sivagiri has increased manifold over the years. The visitors, during their stay in the resorts or bungalows, irreparably damage the ecosystem with blaring music, bonfires, blinding lights, liquor, vehicle horns, etc.Some resorts and bungalows even organise DJ nights on request as these properties are owned by politicians or people with strong caste backing.A revenue official said, “After roads were laid by Achchankovil town panchayat on the math land, several resorts and bungalows were built inside the reserve forest. Since most of these bungalows and resorts have artificial waterfalls, their owners use them as money-spinners by attracting eager tourists.”Even though the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court ordered in 2022 to remove all illegally created artificial waterfalls, the official machinery is yet to fully implement the order. “If we really want to conserve wildlife of the region between Kadayam and Rajapalayam from the greedy humans, it should be declared a sanctuary,” he suggests..Surrounded by Kalakkad – Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the south, Periyar Tiger Reserve in the west and Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve in the North, Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary can also be upgraded into tiger sanctuary.“It will save this region’s wildlife and rich biodiversity. Since the human intervention and consequent pressure have breached all tolerable limits, animals like tiger and panther have started moving towards Keralam, it seems and one of the escaping tigers has been fatally knocked down by the train. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court should take note of this incident and save the wildlife,” a senior forest official said.Another official, who was present at the accident site, said the canines of this 4 or 5-year-old healthy tiger killed by the train was longer than the index finger - each measuring about 3.50 inches. “When we first saw the carcass lying on the railway track, we initially thought that the age would be between 8 and 12 as it weighed about 250 kg. It means the prey base of the tiger in this area is extremely good. It should be preserved further by upgrading this region between Kadayam and Rajapalayam as a tiger sanctuary,” he said. Published - November 05, 2026 11:02 pm IST