Various arrangements made as Vellingiri hills open to pilgrims from February 1

Volunteers removing a dry bamboo clump from the trekking route of Vellingiri hills in Coimbatore district on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Forest Department has made various arrangements as pilgrims are allowed to trek Vellingiri hills from February 1.

District Forest Officer N. Jayaraj said 20-25 staff will be on duty at the foothills on the premises of the Vellingiri Andavar temple at Poondi and along the 6.5 km-long trekking route connecting seven hills through the reserve forest areas, which falls under the limits of the Boluvampatti forest range.

Additional staff will be deployed from other forest ranges on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and for the Mahashivarathri on February 26.

At the downhill, Forest staff will screen pilgrims, who will not be allowed to carry disposable plastic materials, inflammable materials, cigarette/beedi, lighter, matchbox, liquor and other contraband.

Pilgrims will be allowed to carry water bottles during the trek, after paying a refundable sum of ₹20. QR codes will be pasted on the bottles. The amount will be refunded when the pilgrims produce the bottles to the staff at the downhill after trekking, said Mr. Jayaraj.

Arrangements are on to set up three medical camps on the first hill and the fourth hill.

Boluvampatti forest range officer T. Suseendranath said awareness posters have been placed at the downhill, advising pilgrims to undertake the trekking after proper medical examination. Ambulances will be stationed at the downhill.

Since the trekking route is in the ‘difficult’ category, experts have warned of possible health risks when people with serious medical conditions climb the hills.

People from nine tribal settlements have been permitted to set up 30 shops along the trekking route where water, refreshments, buttermilk, etc., will be available. The tribals are allowed to run temporary shops on the condition that they should also act as first responders in case of any emergency situation like fire.

As per an order by the Madras High Court, pilgrims can trek Vellingiri hills from February to May every year.