8 illegal trekkers in Megamalai fined Rs 7L

A total of 11 persons, including five below 18 years of age, went trekking on December 22, sources said. On learning about this illegal activity in advance, S Kalanithi, Warden of the Wildlife Sanctuary, formed a special team comprising Chinnamanur Range Officer K Murugan, Foresters, Forest Guards and Anti-Poaching Watchers to prevent any such trekking.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a famous sports article selling company organised the trekking without obtaining permission from the Wildlife authorities.

According to Range Officer Murugan, legal trekking was allowed only in Kurangani hills in Bodi Range, for which permission could be obtained from the District Forest Officer concerned. If trekkers wanted to access places other than Kurangani hills, permission must be obtained either from Principal Chief Conservator of Forest or Chief Wildlife Warden, he said. Now, these trekkers had been found guilty of violating Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882 and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The organiser of the trekking event created an event titled ‘Megamalai Trekking’ and forwarded messages through social media and also to customers of the company through SMS. Some Wildlife officials also received the SMS regarding this trekking expedition. It was informed that the trekking was planned for two days from December 22 and asked trekkers to assemble at 4 pm at Megamalai.

To avoid being caught by the enforcement agencies, the trekkers were asked to reach the venue by buses and bikes. After walking up for about three hours, the special team of forest officials noticed smoke coming up at an area where seven temporary tents were put up. Finally, the trekkers were caught while resting beside a campfire. Besides, some kilos of meat were also found.

On enquiry, the trekkers said that a fee of Rs 1,500 was charged by the organiser, added the Range Officer.