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The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is preparing to conduct drone surveys to verify land claims by residents in 15 settlements within the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, following provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. The surveys will validate claims to up to four hectares per family after initial approval by Grama Sabhas.
Claims are first reviewed by Grama Sabhas, which verify three-generation land ownership, and then forwarded to Sub-Divisional and District-Level Committees for resolution of grievances. In Tiruppur district, the process is ongoing for 1,150 families, with conditional pattas already issued to 850 families for their homes and cultivated plots.
Residents, primarily cultivating coffee, cardamom, ragi, and pepper, are seeking formal recognition of their land rights. A senior Forest Department official confirmed that drone imagery will be used to authenticate claims after Grama Sabha endorsement.
The drone survey initiative aims to ensure accurate, tamper-proof documentation of land use. The department will finalize the verification framework and begin field operations within the next few weeks.