Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is heard by the Madras High Court.

     The State government received a notice from the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on a public interest lawsuit that sought a ruling restricting the entry of outsiders and vehicles into the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tirunelveli district.

     The State was instructed to file a reply affidavit to the petition submitted by V Savithri of Tirunelveli to the Madurai branch of the High Court by a division bench of Justices SS Sundar and Bharatha Chakravarthy. To safeguard the flora and fauna, she suggested limiting the access of visitors and cars.

     The Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple, according to the petitioner, is situated in the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Reserve between Papanasam and Karaiyar Dam in the Nellai District. Devotees from Nellai and other areas travel to this temple.

     However, she went on to say that during the event, many worshippers were allowed to access the reserve and camp there in defiance of the laws. The Thamirabarani River was polluted because the public disregarded the regulations and reasonable constraints set out and dumped rubbish there, negatively affecting not only the local indigenous population but also the flora and animals.According to her, the authorities should limit others’ admission so that it doesn’t exceed the carrying capacity specified in the Tiger Conservation Plan.

     Therefore, only a specific number of devotees should be permitted entry to the temple, it was said in the petition.