Wildlife conservation lessons for devotees of ayyanar temple

With hundreds of devotees expected to visit the temple, the officials have erected informative signboards on the path leading to the temple. The signboards, which have images of tiger, bison and elephant, has messages like ‘This is my home, please don’t spoil’, ‘I’m living here with my parents, please don’t spoil this place’ and ‘Ride at 30 km speed’.

Director of Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation Shekar Kumar Niraj told DT Next that devotees while approaching the tiger habitat, should maintain peace and not pollute the environment. “They should strictly adhere to the do’s and don’ts listed by the officials to achieve the above said objective,” he said.

When contacted, deputy director of Project Tiger, K Bhargava Teja, Ambasamudram, said Mechanised fishing boats  undergo fitness test in 3 dists the entire strength of KMTR staff and Forest department personnel from three other districts would be deputed to manage the crowd. Besides, 150 to 200 volunteers mostly from colleges and representatives of voluntary organisations would be roped in to assist in the task, he added.

Papanasam forest range officer G Bharath said about two lakh devotees are expected to throng the venue. They are prohibited from carrying items such as soap, shampoo, alcohol, cigarette, beedi and other inflammable items. To avoid using plastics, cloth bags would be made available at the venue.