Forest Dept. steps up efforts to prevent fires, plastic pollution along Srisailam trekking route

The Forest Department has deployed drones to monitor fire incidents along the trekking route to Srisailam, the abode of Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple. Each year, thousands of devotees traverse the Tiger Reserve on foot to reach Srisailam for darshan during the Mahashivaratri Brahmotsavams.

As devotees trek through the Tiger Reserve, the Forest Department has also taken steps to control plastic pollution, prevent fire accidents, and avoid the entry of devotees into the core areas of the reserve.

Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Project Tiger Circle, Nandyal, B. Vijaya Kumar, said that the Atmakur Division staff of Project Tiger, including officers, protection watchers and volunteers were working to regulate single-use plastic usage and ensure welfare of the pilgrims.

Explaining about the amenities provided for devotees, Mr. Vijaya Kumar said they have arranged drinking water facilities at seven locations, beginning from the entry point of the Tiger Reserve to Bheemunikolanu. Similarly, five medical camps were deployed with the help of private hospitals to supply medicines and medical aid for the devotees. The devotees were also offered butter milk.

“Nearly 400 forest staff, including protection watchers and volunteers, were deployed in three shifts at all the seven locations to regulate the adverse effects on bio-diversity,” he said. Furthermore, all the food suppliers were educated on the importance of using steel plates and glasses for supplying food and keeping the premises free of plastic. Five locations were specifically used for supplying the food, he added.

“Specialised forest staff was also deployed with stretchers to assist pilgrims suffering any health issues or in need of immediate emergencies,” he said. A Command Control Room has been set up at the Atmakur headquarters for round-the-clock monitoring.

“The NSTR staff is also keeping surveillance on the movement of the tigers driven out from the core area of the Tiger Reserve,” he said.

Mr. Vijaya Kumar further requested the district administration to extend help in manning the devotee surge as Project Tiger was running with only 30 per cent of their working strength. He also asked the pilgrims to extend their primary responsibility of protecting the natural resources.

Meanwhile, officials reported that a wild boar had allegedly died due to the ingestion of plastic waste left by the devotees last year. Additionally, a forest fire incident was reported near Bheemunikolanu last year and they were trying to prevent such incidents this year.

The forest staff has also implemented steps to prohibit devotees from bringing plastic bags and other items into the forest and has intensified checks. As part of drive to regulate the entry of plastic into the forest, the forest personnel had recently stopped a vehicle belonging to a hotel in Srisailam, which was transporting various articles to Shikharam and seized 150 bundles of plastic plates from them.