Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 12: The Kerala government Monday temporarily banned trekking in state forest areas in the backdrop of the fire at Kurangani hills in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, in which nine people were killed.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, a statement issued by the chief minister’s office said.
As many as nine people, who were part of a trekking expedition were killed in the forest fire at Kurngani hills near Theni district, about 500 km from Chennai, Sunday.
The State Forest Department has been directed to take all necessary precautions to prevent forest fires, the statement quoted Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as saying. He added that the Authority was closely monitoring the situation.
The Idukki district collector and police superintendent were given instructions to assist the rescue operations undertaken by Tamil Nadu officials immediately when it was known that the fire had broken out in Theni district on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, Vijayan said.
Personnel of Kerala Fire Force, state police and the forest department took part in the rescue and relief operations, he added.
A 36-member team — 24 people from Chennai and 12 from Tirupur and Erode districts — on a trekking expedition had reached Kurangani hills on March 10. Nine died in the forest fire that raged on the hills while 17 were hospitalised with injuries and 10 did not require hospitalisation.
Vijayan expressed grief over the tragedy.
Comments
Why we need trecking. People doing trecking for their pleasure and they are not following safety guidlines for the safety of animals. They are following only for their safety. Should stop all such nonsenses all over India
People only destoying nature.. Most of the forest fires were created by men.
After encroaching forest and building houses & resorts, humanbeings' greed not yet over. They want more.. They want to destroy rest of the forest for their pleasure by doing adventurous trips.. Should stop completely
Good decision.. Restriction should needed always
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