Forest dept bans trekking in Annamalai hill

Earlier the Forest department had allowed only 2,500 devotees to climb the 2,668 feet high hill for the Maha Deepam ceremony on November 23. Once the Maha Deepam was lit, the department restricted the entry of devotees and employees climbing atop the Arunachaleswarar temple.

Till Tuesday, the deepam that would continue to burn for eleven days, saw limited devotes worshipping atop. However, on Wednesday, the devotes were banned to trek on the hill.The Forest department has enforced this strict order and has placed thorny bushes to keep the visitors away. 

The department staff were posted at various locations to prevent any clandestine entry. While 700 hectares of the hill comes under the department, another 234 hectares is under the control of the Revenue department.It maybe recalled that some months ago Indian and foreign tourists who climbed atop the hill without the help of a guide went missing and had to be saved by Forest personnel.

Forest officials said that locals and guides who lead tourist groups to the hill top were fined a total of Rs 25,000 till date. The official added that the department would file cases and also collect fines if they found any transgressors.