In another move to meddle unnecessary in the smooth functioning of the pilgrimage of Sabarimala, the Forest Department of Kerala has submitted a report to the Central government which says that the Ayyappa devotees’ chanting is creating noise pollution in the forests.
The report also asks to limit the numbers of the devotees taking the journey to the holy shrine of Sabarimala. The suggestions of the Forest Department is widely seen as insulting the Ayyappa devotees who take the arduous journey through the forest to get a glimpse of their favourite deity Lord Ayyappa.
The Forest Department’s suggestions comes in the Eco-tourism Development report about the environmental problems at Sabarimala. The report says that environmental degradation of the forest is taking place from many issues arising from Sabarimala temple including noise of chanting and shouting the name of Lord Ayyappa.
According to the report, the other reasons for the degradation of the environment includes the night journey of the devotees through the forests, the make shift shelters build by the devotees, the plastic waste, and used clothes thrown away by the devotees.
The report also suggest that because of these acts affect the environment adversely, the number of devotees coming to Sabarimala must be restrained.
However, the Devasom Presdient Padmakumar has come out against the report and said that the report amounts to insulting the Ayyappa devotees and accused the forest department for blocking the development of Sabarimala.
