CCTV cameras will be set up to curb trespassing and littering in Hogenakkal forest area

DHARMAPURI: Intending to curb people from trespassing and littering the roads along the Hogenakkal forest, the Forest Department has planned to install CCTV cameras on the roadside near Hogenakkal.

Saying that on average, over 5,000 tourists visit Hogenkkal in a day, the sources said that the forest area is replete with tonnes of thrash, affecting the wildlife adversely. "People trespassing and drinking in the forest area is a common problem as they throw bottles causing injuries to animals in the forest," they said.

According to Umashankar, an activist with the Dharamapuri People Forum said, "The Hogenakkal forest is home to thousands of birds, wildlife animals and over 107 species of mammals. As the tourism business flourished, tourists started dumping food waste in the area leading to a drastic reduction in monkeys and Elephant movement in the area."

District Forest Officer (DFO) Rajkumar told TNIE that the food waste dumped by the tourists attract wildlife animals especially monkeys. As they close to the roads there is a high chance being hit by the speeding vehicles. Monkeys play a major role in seed dispersion and when they stop moving, the forest expansion is affected, he said.

Rajkumar also requested the tourists to stop feeding animals.

Saying that the forest department cleans the forest area with the help of volunteers, he said tourists continue to pollute the area by dumping the waste.

The DFO also said that every week three to five people are caught and fined for drinking in the forest area. However, as the road leading to Hogenakkal from Peenagaram comes under panchayat, forest staff cannot take actions against the offenders. The DFO said that they are working on a proposal to find ways to punish litterers.