MADURAI
A tree planting drive was organised near Kurangani – Top Station trekking route in Theni district on Sunday in memory of the 23 trekkers who died due to a forest fire that ravaged the area on March 11, 2018.
Two groups of trekkers were caught in the forest fire when they were trekking down from Kolukkumalai to Kurangani. Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Theni Collector M. Pallavi Baldev and other officials paid floral tributes in memory of the deceased near the trekking route and planted saplings.
The Collector said the district administration was planning to plant 30,000 saplings in and around the area. Mr. Panneerselvam administered a pledge on the importance of protecting forests.
Some of the people and officials, who were involved in the rescue operation after the last year’s tragedy, also took part in the function. S. Jegadeesh, a 108 ambulance pilot, one of the first responders to reach the spot, said attending the function brought back the horrific memories of the day. “I could still hear the cries of the injured,” he said.
He said some of the family members of the victims, who were in touch with him, were planning to visit the site on Monday.
