District administration caps trekkers to Perumalmudi and Melmudi
The district administration has implemented visitor caps and vehicle restrictions for the Perumalmudi and Melmudi mountain peaks to ensure safety and environmental protection. These measures follow concerns regarding heavy footfall and potential damage to the local forest ecosystem.
Why it matters
It reflects the growing challenge of balancing religious tourism with environmental conservation and public safety in sensitive forest areas.
The district administration has fixed a cap on the number of trekkers to Perumalmudi and Melmudi, two mountain peaks in the district that attract devotees during the Tamil month of Purattasi, amid concerns over visitor safety and the impact of heavy footfall on the forest ecosystem.
A maximum of 1,000 devotees will be allowed at Perumalmudi and 500 at Melmudi on Purattasi Saturdays. The administration has also capped the number of vehicles at 250 and 150, respectively, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
The restrictions were decided at a district-level coordination meeting chaired by District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar on Wednesday.
Devotees heading to Perumalmudi will have to use the Mangarai check-post, while those visiting Melmudi will have to enter through the check-post at the foothills of Palamalai. Entry through Thadagam will not be permitted.
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