Ban on trekking in Kollimalai till May 31

Namakkal District Forest Officer R Kanjana said trekking has been banned till May 31. “As summer is nearing its peak, trees and grasses have dried up and would catch fire easily. So, tourists have been barred from trekking as a precautionary measure,” she said. 

In the last three years, only three groups have approached the Forest department seeking permission to trek in the Kollimalai hills. “They were all guided into the forest by staff of the Forest department.  This year, so far no one has sought permission,” she said. 

In Coimbatore, devotees trekking in the Velliangiri Hills were restricted from carrying inflammable materials. 

Though trekking is barred in familiar forest areas following the Theni incident, Velliangiri Hills was an exception as devotees throng the spot in the summer to offer their prayers at the shrine at the hilltop. 

A 72-member team comprising Forest department staff, Anti-Poaching Watchers and volunteers has been formed to check the public before allowing them to trek the hills. The Forest department has also taken efforts to remove dried grass that can easily catch fire.