KOZHIKODE: Chembra Peak which was closed in February due to a massive wild fire allegedly set by some tourists, will be opened on Friday, the South Wayanad DFO said in a press release. However, the forest department has decided to restrict the number of tourists per day to 200. There was a clamour from conservationists to limit the number of tourists to historic, heritage and wildlife spots in Wayanad district.
The Vana Samrakshana Samithy (VSS), a protection committee of local people that takes care of the peak and the surrounding flora and fauna-rich grasslands, had managed to identify the culprits who set fire to the grasslands and the forest department also slapped cases against them.
VSS chairman KA Anilkumar told DC that earlier there were no restrictions on tourists. “There were days when up to 1500 persons visited the peak”, he added. Wildlife expert KR Vancheeswaran told DC that other destinations in Wayanad were also facing acute human pressure. “It is time we allowed visitors to reserve in advance for entry into all these fragile eco-systems”, he added.
