Thiruvananthapuram: Comptroller and Audit General (CAG) has found violation of conditions of master plan for Sabarimala affecting the ecology of the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR).
Sabarimala Ayyappa temple is located within the PTR area as an enclave attracting millions of devotees every year, the report noted.
The increasing number of pilgrims and growing demand of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) for additional land for infrastructure at Sabarimala led to habitat degradation. Out of the 18 major threats identified by the PTR in Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP), Sabarimala pilgrimage ranked the first, said the report.
The government brought out a master plan for Sabarimala (MPS), which was to be implemented by the TDB, the TCP of the PTR, stipulated that all developments and management at Sabarimala should be in tune with MPS. The implementation of the MPS was to be monitored by the deputy director (Periyar west).
The TCP emphasized solid waste management and sanitation interventions in the MPS as they are closely linked with the health of the wildlife habitat of the surrounding forests. The collection, transportation and disposal of waste at Pampa and Sannidhanam were the responsibility of the TDB. The TDB failed to set up composting facility at Pampa in line with the solid waste management guidelines of MPS. However, the department did not take any action against the non-compliance by TDB.
There are two sewage treatment plants (STP) at Sabarimala, one at Pampa and the other at Sannidhanam. No drainage facility to dispose waste water of the hotels to the Pampa STP was provided. Similarly, the sewage pipes, from the building near Kumbalamthodu stream, to the STP at Sannidhanam was left unconnected. The overflowing waste water got mixed up with the Kumbalamthodu stream which in turn reached and polluted river Pampa frequented by wild animals, said the report.
In place of underground electrical supply lines envisaged in the MPS, overhead cables without insulation were drawn, said the report.
