Travancore Devaswom Board president A.Padmakumar has called upon Ayyappa devotees to take a pledge not to bring plastic to Sabarimala with a view to preserving the serenity and sanctity of the sacred grove in the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Mr. Padmakumar was talking to the media after taking part in the Punyam Poonkavanam cleaning programme at the Sannidhanam on Friday.
Use cloth bags
Use of plastic covers in the sacred bundle (Irumudikkettu) should be avoided and pilgrims may use cloth bags for carrying their belongings during the pilgrimage, he said.
Mr. Padmakumar said the TDB would ban plastic flex boards and banners in Sabarimala and surrounding areas in a phased manner. The active cooperation of the pilgrims was required for the success of the ongoing anti-plastic campaign in Sabarimala.
The district administration has taken the initiative to enforce the ban on plastic in a pilgrim-friendly way.
Ropeway project
Mr. Padmakumar said the next board meeting would explore the possibility of executing the proposed cargo ropeway project linking Pampa and the Sannidhanam.
K.P.Sankaradas, K.Raghavan, TDB members; M.Manoj, Special Commissioner appointed by the Kerala High Court; and P.K.Madhu, Police Special Officer, took part in the cleaning programme.
Railway counter
The Southern Railway opened a reservation counter at Pampa for the benefit of those coming from different parts of the country.