In a bid to protect the Tamirabarani and environment from pollution, it has been decided to impose restrictions on vehicle movement and pitching tents inside the forest during the ‘Aadi amavasai’ celebrations of Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple on August 2.
This was decided at a meeting held here on Thursday. A. Venkatesh, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Kalakkad - Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, chaired the meeting. Over 1.50 lakh pilgrims used to visit the temple situated inside the tiger reserve and many stayed for two to three days. Since toilet facilities were inadequate, the Tamirabarani and the environment got polluted. So the temple administration would be asked to provide adequate toilet facilities with continuous water supply from overhead tanks, he said.
“According to Wildlife Act, 1972, pilgrims can visit the temple between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Private vehicles will not be permitted beyond Papanasam forest check-post after 6 p.m. There will be a ban on plastic articles, combustible substances and pets inside the forest. To curb pollution caused by two-wheelers, pilgrims will be requested to travel by government buses beyond the check-post. Vans, lorries and autorickshaws which transport pilgrims must be taken back to Taana and Papanasam for parking,” Mr. Venkatesh said.
Heavy fines will be imposed on vehicles that violate the Wildlife Act and also on those pitch tents inside the forest. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation had been asked to operate buses in good condition at scheduled timings.
The temple administration had been asked to keep waste bins to collect decomposable and non-degradable wastes to prevent pollution.
A team consisting of around 250 people from the frontline staff of the tiger reserve from Kalakkad and Ambasamudram, staff from Department of Forest in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari, along with volunteers and Village Forest Committee members would be involved in environment protection during the festival.
“Pilgrims visiting the temple are requested to stay lesser number of days at the temple and help protect the Tamirabarani which is the drinking water source for five districts,” Mr. Venkatesh said.
R. Kanchana, Deputy Director, Ambasamudram Division, KMTR; K. Muruganantham, Deputy Director, Kalakkad Division, KMTR; Shankar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ambasamudram; Albert Rajendran, Juliet Vanitharani, zoologists; representatives from temple administration and non-governmental organisations participated.
