The Hindu Business Line : Lack of accord hampers Sabarimala development

TDB chief says non-cooperative attitude of the Forest Department and non-availability of a master plan have impeded the creation of essential infrastructure facilities for pilgrims.

Kochi , Dec. 17

Non-availability of an approved master plan for Sabarimala even after several years of preparation has almost stalled the creation of essential infrastructure facilities for the millions of pilgrims now visiting the forest shrine.

The final approval of the master plan is still pending and no developmental activities could be taken up and "we are, in fact, helpless", Mr G. Raman Nair, President, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which administers and controls nearly 1,200 temples in the State, including Sabarimala.

Another major bottleneck is the non-cooperation of the forest department, which is also creating problems. He alleged that when the department has allowed about 300 shops on the traditional trekking path through the Periyar Tiger Reserve from Erumeli to Pampa, it has asked the TDB to remove 50 shops allotted by it.

Though the 300 shops allotted by the Forest Department are meant for tribals, they are run by benami (proxy) people from Ranni, Nedumangad, Neyyattinkara and Malayalappuzha," Mr Nair alleged. The Forest Department authorities have asked the TDB to shift the 50 shops from the trekking path from Pampa to Sannidhanam, allotted with the permission of the High Court, which they claimed had been set up in violation of the Supreme Court order, he added.

The TDB chief said that such non-cooperative attitude of the Forest Department and non-availability of a master plan had impeded the creation of essential infrastructure facilities for the pilgrims whose number has increased by 25 to 30 per cent so far this season.

The Pampa Action Plan (PAP) with Central assistance under National River Conservation Programme aimed at making the river pollution-free has also been in limbo due to the same reason.

The river is highly polluted during the pilgrimage season and hence the projects under PAP were sanctioned by the NRCP aimed at creating adequate sewage treatment facilities, toilets and latrines for the millions.

Now its non-implementation within the stipulated period might result in lapsing of the funds sanctioned by the Centre for the project.

Meanwhile, Mr N.K. Sukumaran Nair, General Secretary, Pampa Parirakshana Samithi, said that most of the components of the project were to be implemented by the TDB. "But, lack of coordination between the government departments and the absence of an independent implementation agency such as a Pampa River Basin Authority could be the reasons for the non-materialisation of this project".

On this, the TDB President said that the project could not be taken up as it had been clubbed with the Sabarimala Master Plan. However, "some of the components were implemented outside the Periyar Tiger Reserve," he added.

Mr Sukumaran Nair said that execution of the projects was urgently needed for restricting the pollution of the Pampa river during the pilgrim season.

Non-implementation of the first phase of the Pampa Action Plan (PAP) project would deprive the State of subsequent allocations besides delaying the cleaning of the river for the benefit of lakhs of people living in the Pampa river basin, he said.

The Centre had accepted the complete project involving an investment of Rs 319.70 crore, submitted by the state government on Dec 19, 2002 to be completed in three phases, following the inclusion of the River in the NRCP in Jun 2001. The project is inevitable for controlling and reducing pollution in the river Pampa during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season. According to the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), given the high presence of coliform bateria in the river water during the season, "it is imperative that water quality of Pampa river be improved/upgraded in its entire stretch not only for the beneficial use of water for the use of pilgrims and in the townships situated within the basis but also for improving water quality in the downstream stretches, especially in the water logged areas of Kuttanad and Vembanadu Lake", he said.

In fact, the water quality monitoring done by the KSPCB as per the directions of the Kerala High Court, has brought to light the urgent need for an Action Plan for cleaning up of the river, he added.

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