The Hindu : Sabarimala forests face degradation threat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 10, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Sabarimala forests face degradation threat

By Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

PATHANAMTHITTA, FEB. 9. The thick evergreen forests of Sabarimala, which the Ayyappa devotees consider to be the `poonkavanam' of Lord Ayyappa, are facing the threat of degradation due to "short-sightedness" in the planning of pilgrim facilities at the `sannidhanam' and the Pampa and along the forest paths leading to the Lord Ayyappa temple.

The temple and its surroundings situated in the Periyar Tiger Reserve constitute the largest sacred landscape in the world; ecological aspects should be given top priority while planning any development activity in Sabarimala because of its strategic geographical positioning.

Excessive human intervention and the presence of huge quantities of plastic and other litter have been reportedly posing a threat to this biodiversity-rich forest patch.

The damage being done to the fauna and flora in these forests during the two-month annual pilgrim season is alarming. The authorities' lack of concern in ensuring adequate protection of the forest environs and ecosystem, a prime factor in preserving the sanctity of Sabarimala, has become a matter of grave concern of late.

Unhygienic surroundings, polluted Pampa waters, absence of a proper drinking water treatment scheme and lack of regulations are some of the hardships faced by the Ayyappa devotees.

While the temple authorities attribute their inability to provide more pilgrim facilities to land shortage, it is alleged that they have not utilising the forestland available with them. This, coupled with a "cold war" between the Forest department and the Travancore Deavswom Board, makes life miserable to the pilgrims.

What is needed is a long-term approach to provide more pilgrim facilities that would preserve the pristine glory of Sabarimala and the sanctity of the pilgrimage.

Studies by experts have stressed the need for a sensible and humanitarian approach to the problems faced by the pilgrims.

The Supreme Court has directed the Union and State Governments not to permit any non-forestry activity at Sabarimala. A recent PAC report suggested delimitation of the Periyar Tiger Reserve and exclusion of 500 hectares of forestland comprising Sabarimala from it so as to provide basic pilgrim facilities.

The Parliamentary panel led by the Union Minister of State, O. Rajagopal, and the previous State Legislative Committee on Environment headed by A. V. Thamarakshan mooted setting up of a full-fledged base camp at Nilackal, 22 km away from Pampa, to ease the excessive human pressure on the foothills of the Sabarimala.

The expert panels suggested launching of a scientific pilgrim management scheme and regulation of pilgrim flow to the holy hillock. It is high time the TDB looked into improving the facilities at Sabarimala within the land available with it now.

The previous Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Buta Singh, during its visit to Sabarimala on the last Makaravilakku day, lamented the "inhuman'' treatment meted out to the pilgrims.

The TDB can think of introducing a ropeway for taking the physically challenged to the `sannidhanam' and for the transportation of goods, according to many devotees. Senior officials of the Forest department too took a positive stand towards the proposal at a meeting held in Sabarimala a month back.

Many pilgrims who spoke to The Hindu stressed the need to set up a separate administrative body for Sabarimala along the lines of the Tirupati Devasthanam, with statutory powers. It needs strong political will on the part of the Government to implement it, G. Purushothaman Nair, president of the Hindu Matha Patasala Adhyapaka Parishad, said.

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