Temple Festival At Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve: Madras High Court Asks Authorities To Follow Guidelines On Pilgrim Footfall

The bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy was hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Dr. R Karpagam seeking to regulate the movement of people in the tiger reserve during the festival.

The petitioner submitted that the temple was in the core area of the protected Tiger Reserve and during the festival, a large number of persons gather in the area against the norms and guidelines. It was submitted that although the carrying capacity was 76 vehicles, up to 50,000 devotees gathered during the festival time resulting in pollution. It was submitted that the authorities were not taking any steps to protect the Tiger Reserve Forest.

Rebutting this claim, the authorities submitted that only about 5000-7000 pilgrims attended the temple festival and even they were not permitted to stay at night time. It was also submitted that the temple has been in existence for centuries while the Tiger Reserve was declared subsequently. The authorities also informed the court that all precautions were being taken to keep the premises clean and no activity was being permitted that would endanger the Tiger Reserve Forest.

The court was also informed that after discussion with other departments, the resolutions and conditions are sent to the Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve to obtain an order for the temple festival. The chief conservator grants permission to conduct the temple festival as per the conditions mentioned in the letter of the Deputy Director, Sathyamangalam Forest Division and by following the guidelines.

The authorities also informed that as per the guidelines, the devotees were allowed to stay in the temple only on the night of the festival and only the temple administrators were allowed to stay in the temple premises. It was also informed that the monitoring committee was to ensure all devotees left the forest area before 5pm and a maximum of 100 vehicles per day would only be allowed for the festival.

The court was also informed that a specific area would be earmarked for goat sacrifice and only pre-cooked food will be supplied without depending on the forest. It was also decided that the participants would not be allowed to engage in any other activity. Further river water was not to be allowed to be used for any other purpose.

The authorities also stated that women police and women forest department staffs would be made available to check on women devotees and separate toilet facilities for men and women will be provided not allowing anyone to defecate in the open. Further two persons would be appointed as special supervisors to monitor the devotees and the temple management committee was to be responsible for any damage.

Taking note of the steps proposed to be taken, the court directed the authorities to adhere and follow the same and submit a status report.

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Mad) 4

Case Title: Dr R Karpagam v Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden and Others

Case No: WP 28257 of 2022