In the Velliangiri Mountains near Coimbatore, authorities have cleared 7 tons of waste, mainly old clothes discarded by devotees, affecting the environment and tracks.
Coimbatore: Devotees frequent the Velliangiri Mountains to worship Velliangiri Andavar, ascending the mountain regularly. This 6.5-kilometer trekking path is home to rare species of plants and animals and is open for devotees from February to May, according to a Chennai High Court ruling.
Old clothes accumulate especially around the sixth mountain. Before reaching the peak to worship Shiva on the seventh mountain, pilgrims typically bathe in the Andi Sunai stream and leave their old clothes behind, leading to significant litter accumulation.
Following the end of the pilgrimage season, extensive cleaning operations have been underway. Rain had delayed these efforts, but they have now resumed in full swing. Waste has been cleared especially from the first three and the last two mountains.
Officials from the Forestry Department reported that so far, 7 tons of waste have been removed from the Velliangiri Mountain areas, with a significant portion consisting of the devotees' discarded clothes. Continuous clearing of the clothes in the stream areas is ongoing. Dirty weather conditions have occasionally hindered volunteers from cleaning the mountain areas, making waste collection challenging due to steep and slippery terrain. Officials also stated that a ban on carrying plastic items had been enforced to mitigate future pollution.
Old clothes accumulate especially around the sixth mountain. Before reaching the peak to worship Shiva on the seventh mountain, pilgrims typically bathe in the Andi Sunai stream and leave their old clothes behind, leading to significant litter accumulation.
Following the end of the pilgrimage season, extensive cleaning operations have been underway. Rain had delayed these efforts, but they have now resumed in full swing. Waste has been cleared especially from the first three and the last two mountains.
Officials from the Forestry Department reported that so far, 7 tons of waste have been removed from the Velliangiri Mountain areas, with a significant portion consisting of the devotees' discarded clothes. Continuous clearing of the clothes in the stream areas is ongoing. Dirty weather conditions have occasionally hindered volunteers from cleaning the mountain areas, making waste collection challenging due to steep and slippery terrain. Officials also stated that a ban on carrying plastic items had been enforced to mitigate future pollution.