Madras High Court Orders Inspection of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Campus

### Fast Summary
– The Madras High Court has ordered the Forest Department to inspect Amrita vishwa Vidyapeetham, a deemed university run by Mata Amritanandamayi Math, located at Ettimadai in Coimbatore district.
– The inspection is to ensure compliance with 17 conditions imposed during the conversion of 12.622 hectares of agricultural dry lands for educational purposes.
– The court instructed District Forest Officer (DFO) adn amici curiae to inspect the site and submit a report by September 12, 2025.
– Allegations were raised about an electric fence disrupting elephant movement; the Math contends it uses “green solar smart fencing” conforming to Tamil Nadu regulations.
– Measures claimed by the institution include:
– A 150-meter buffer zone between its lands and forest borders allowing free movement of wildlife.
– Water troughs supplied via pipelines for forest animals’ drinking needs.
– Protection of streams on its property without causing obstruction or directional changes.
– Plantation mainly consisting of forest trees that do not attract animals especially from wild habitats.- affidavit filed stated commitment to ecological harmony under spiritual guidance from Mata Amritanandamayi.

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### Indian Opinion Analysis
The High Court’s directive underscores the importance of balancing advancement with environmental conservation, particularly near ecologically sensitive areas like Western Ghats foothills. While efforts such as water troughs and buffer zones demonstrate proactive measures, allegations around fencing disrupting wildlife movement merit thorough verification during inspection. If proven compliant as asserted by Math representatives, this initiative could set a precedent for responsible land-use practices adjoining protected forests. though, vigilant monitoring remains necessary given public interest litigation on safeguarding elephant corridors-a critical issue in biodiversity preservation across India’s forests.

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*Read more: [Madras High Court orders inspection](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/madras-high-court-suo-motu-impleads-mata-amritanandamayi-math-in-forest-case/article69779213.ece)*