No more ‘homestay’ shall be permitted for tourists in the beautiful hilly Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, orders the Madras High Court on Wednesday last. Reasoning: “arbitrary sanctions or permission can’t be granted” as there appears to be ‘pure adhocism’ without an ‘environmental impact assessment study or a cap put in’.

The bench felt it was becoming increasingly ‘fashionable’ for residents here to retreat into a corner of the property on weekends to open homestays for urban visitors to enjoy the beauties of nature. But not anymore, till a plan is put in place following studies and ‘a viable scientific report being obtained.’ The district authorities must conduct inspections to ensure the homestay arrangements don’t continue without permission in the ecologically sensitive region of the Nilgiris.

A dampener for some, but for nature lovers, a welcome move.

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