Trekking trails in Kurangani hills have been closed 20 days ahead of the government-imposed ban between February 15 and April 15.
The decision comes after forest fires were reported in the other ranges of Theni district including Varatar.
District Forest Officer S. Gowtham said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure. “The Forest Department and the district administration have been in talks relating to the closure of the pathway because of the recent fires,” he said.
Trekking in the Kurangani hills was stopped on March 11, 2018 after a forest fire claimed the lives of 20 persons. The authorised 11.4-km pathway from Kurangani to Top Station via Central Station reopened on December 30, 2018.
“After the trail was reopened, a total of 69 people trekked the path in December after obtaining permission from the department. We rejected two applications for more such treks in January as it was close to the Pongal holidays and it did not seem like a secure time,” Mr. Gowtham said.
