HACA rules: buying land near the hills around Coimbatore

If you are buying land in the foothill villages west and north-west of Coimbatore, check first whether the village falls under the Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA). Development in notified hill area villages needs HACA clearance in addition to the usual layout or building approval, and some kinds of construction may not be allowed at all. Reports in The Hindu have noted that 17 villages along the Coimbatore foothills are covered, including Somayampalayam near Bharathiar University. This guide explains what HACA means for a buyer and how to check a plot.

What HACA is

The Hill Area Conservation Authority was set up by the Tamil Nadu government to control development in ecologically sensitive hill areas. It operates through the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), which publishes HACA information and village lists on its website. In HACA areas, proposals for layouts, buildings, and activities that alter the land are examined for their impact on slopes, forests, water sources and wildlife before they can proceed.

HACA villages around Coimbatore

Coimbatore sits at the foot of the Western Ghats, and the villages along the foothills from Thondamuthur and the Siruvani side through Marudhamalai towards Anaikatti fall in or near sensitive zones. Published reports refer to 17 foothill villages under HACA rules, including Somayampalayam. A 2019 Madras High Court case about housing near the Velliangiri hills referred to Alanthurai, Thenkarai and Chettipalayam (Perur area) as HACA villages. The authoritative, current list is the one published by DTCP, so always check the village of your survey number against it.

What HACA clearance means in practice

In a HACA village, a layout or building proposal goes through an additional level of scrutiny. Authorities typically look at the slope of the land, proximity to forests and streams, tree cover, access, and the scale and height of the building. Some activities that are routine on the plains, such as quarrying, large cuts into slopes or clearing trees, face restrictions. This means:

• Approval can take longer and may come with conditions.
• Some plots, especially on steep or forest-edge land, may not be approvable for the use you want.
• A plot sold as “ready for construction” without HACA clearance may not be.

Unapproved plots in hill areas

Hill area plots were handled under a separate regularisation scheme for unapproved layouts, open to plots sold on or before 20 October 2016. Press reports in March 2025 said applications could be registered on the tnlayouthillareareg.in portal until 30 November 2025, and that hill area regularisation is processed by DTCP with site inspections. Unlike the general scheme, which was extended indefinitely in 2025, the hill area window had a fixed deadline. If you are considering an old unapproved plot in a HACA village, ask DTCP whether it was regularised and whether any further window has been announced. Our guide to regularisation of unapproved plots explains the general scheme.

The wildlife dimension

The foothills around Coimbatore are elephant country. A state committee identified 42 elephant corridors in Tamil Nadu in 2024, including paths through the Coimbatore forest division between the Velliangiri and Marudhamalai foothills and around Anaikatti. As of February 2025, the corridor plan was still in draft, with officials saying private land would not be acquired but restrictions such as on barriers could apply. See our guide on buying land near forests and the Western Ghats for the full set of checks.

A due diligence checklist for hill area land

1. Confirm the revenue village and survey number from the patta and sale deed.
2. Check the village against DTCP’s current HACA list.
3. Ask for HACA clearance and layout or building approval; verify both with the issuing offices.
4. Check distance from reserve forest boundaries and known elephant paths with the Forest Department.
5. Check the master plan zone if the land is inside the Coimbatore LPA; see our master plan guide.
6. Walk the land: slope, streams, access road and neighbouring use.
7. Get a written legal opinion that covers all of the above, not just the title.

Is hill area land a bad buy?

Not necessarily. Foothill locations offer cooler weather, views and a quieter setting that many buyers value. The key is to buy land whose permitted use matches your plan, with clearances already in hand, and to accept that some sites are better kept as they are. If your plan is a weekend home or farm, check what is allowed before you pay.

Frequently asked questions

What is HACA in Tamil Nadu?

The Hill Area Conservation Authority regulates development in notified hill area villages. Layouts, buildings and land-altering activities there need its clearance in addition to normal approvals.

Which Coimbatore villages are under HACA?

Reports refer to 17 foothill villages, including Somayampalayam, and court records mention villages such as Alanthurai, Thenkarai and Chettipalayam. Check the current list with DTCP before buying.

Can I get a building permit on a plot in a HACA village?

Possibly, but only after HACA clearance along with the usual approval. Some sites, such as steep or forest-edge land, may not be approved for construction.

Can unapproved hill area plots still be regularised?

The hill area scheme covered plots sold on or before 20 October 2016, with an application deadline of 30 November 2025. Ask DTCP whether any later window has been announced.

This article is general information as of September 2026, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and rates change; confirm with a qualified advocate, chartered accountant or the relevant department before you act.

References

• DTCP: Hill Area Conservation Authority
• The Hindu via inkl: TN Tech City land abuts proposed elephant corridor
• DT Next: Amnesty scheme extended for hill area layouts (March 2025)
• Deccan Chronicle: Madras HC halts housing project near Velliangiri Hills