Cooking prohibited in reserve forest

Udhagamandalam: Those planning a trip to this hill town should not bring gas cylinders or cook food on the roadside, as authorities have issued an order banning both.

In a press release, superintendent of police of the Nilgiris Murali Rambha states that tourists bringing gas cylinders will be punished as they would be posing a threat to the reserve forest areas located all along the roads leading to the eco-sensitive hill district.

Rambha, in the press release, said that the ban was necessitated due to risk of fire accidents, which could pose a threat to the forest as well as the wild animals. "All tourist vehicles will have to undergo strict scrutiny at all the check posts in the district. Anyone found violating the order will be punished accordingly. Besides, the vehicles will be seized," the release said.

The press release comes in the wake of reports by environmentalist and social activists stating that most of the tourists - one-day visitors - bring gas cylinders and vessels and cook food on the roadside. "It poses a huge threat to the reserve forests. The tourists would not know the risk involved. For them it is more economical to bring gas cylinders, vessels and provisions and cook their own food," said an environmentalist. "Littering is also a cause of great concern," he added.

Another activist said, "Thousands of visitors come to Ooty every day in private buses. They are all one-day visitors. Most of them either bring food or cook at the roadside. The town gains nothing except collection of garbage," he told TOI.

Tourists, who visit the hills for a day or two, are more than the number of visitors who come here for a longer holiday. Most of the one-day tourists, to save money and time, bring food or cook food on the roadside, thereby, contributing nothing to the local tourism sector such as hotels, restaurants and taxies.