News Tamil Nadu

“The Very Mountain Is Lord Shiva,” Says Madras High Court, Initiates Probe Into Tiruvannamalai Hill Girivalam Path Encroachments

July 19, 2024
The Commune

The Madras High Court has formed a committee to investigate reported encroachments on the Tiruvannamalai Girivalam path and instructed it to provide a comprehensive report.

Advocate Elephant Rajendran filed a petition to address encroachments on the sacred Arunachaleswarar hills in Tiruvannamalai town. The Court criticized the Forest and Revenue Departments of the Tamil Nadu government for permitting these encroachments, noting that “The very Mountain is Lord Siva.“

This marks Advocate Elephant Rajendran’s second Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the temple town of Tiruvannamalai; the first addressed the disappearance and encroachment of 32 ponds in the area.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice R Mahadevan and Mohammad Shaffiq heard the PIL and appointed a committee chaired by the Tiruvannamalai district collector. This committee, which includes representatives from the district revenue, forest departments, and corporation commissioner, aims to investigate encroachments along the slopes of the 718-acre sacred Tiruvannamalai hills Girivalam path.

The petitioner highlighted illegal constructions on the hill’s slopes, obstructing the traditional flow of rainwater through several streams that feed tanks in Tiruvannamalai. Specific concerns included houses and infrastructure encroaching up to 400 feet along the hill’s slopes, including lavatories, bathrooms, and septic tanks.

In response to the seriousness of the allegations and the hill’s sanctity, the bench tasked the committee with submitting a report within 15 days after visiting the site. The Court scheduled the next hearing for 30 July 2024, expecting the committee’s findings by then.

(With Inputs From DT Next)

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