SABARIMALA: Contrary to previous seasons, heavy flow of pilgrims is being witnessed on the traditional Erumeli-Karimala-Pampa forest trekking path. Hundreds of pilgrims began trekking on the Erumeli-Karimala forest path during the past few days in contrast to the flow of pilgrims from the first week of December. After offering prayers at Erumeli Lord Dharma Sastha Temple and Petta Sree Sastha Temple, pilgrims begin trekking the 37-km forest path after performing “pettathullal” at Erumeli. Pilgrims, after offering prayers at Kalaketty Lord Mahadeva crossing Azhutha river, start trekking the Kallidamkunnu hills on the way to Valiyanavattom-Pampa after touching Inchipparakotta, Kariyilamthodu and Karimala.
Hotels and shops run by the members of the eco-development committees (EDCs), whose members belong to the families living on the fringe areas of the forests of Azhutha and Pampa Valley, on the 37-km trekking path up to Valiyanavattom near Pampa, have started functioning. Though functioning under the overall management and control of the Forest Department, the militancy and trade unionism among the EDCs have loosened the department’s grip on the working during the past several years.
With the EDCs gaining an upper hand, the Forest Department authorities are toeing the line of the EDCs, especially in fixing prices for the food items sold by them on the forest trekking path. Barring free potable water outlets at Kallidamkunnu and the free food distribution centre at Karimala, of the Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham, the hapless pilgrims are forced to depend on the 500-odd EDC hotels and shops for food and other eatables on the trekking path. As the trekking path spreads over the three districts of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta, lack of coordination among the district administrations has led to the EDCs strengthening their grip over the running of shops.