Shivaratri: Pilgrims urged to protect Nallamala forest

NSTR, forest dept and Srisailam Devasthanam authorities take comprehensive measures for waste management and safety of devotees

- K MADHU SIDHAKAR @Kurnool

As thousands of devotees prepare to walk through Nallamala Forest to reach the Srisailam temple during the Shivaratri Brahmotsavams, scheduled from February 19 to March 1, Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) Deputy Director Vakapalli Sai Baba appealed to devotees to protect the environment and wildlife.

Every year, devotees cover more than 40 kilometers through the hills of Nallamala Forest on their way to the temple. Officials expect nearly 500,000 devotees to participate, with the rush beginning around February 17 and ending on February 25, a day before Shivaratri.

However, the forest department has raised concerns about the environmental impact of excessive plastic use and the risk of man-made fires. Speaking to TNIE, Deputy Director Sai Baba urged devotees not to leave behind plastic bottles and wrappers, a persistent issue in the forest. He emphasized that such waste harms the environment and poses a threat to wildlife, which often mistakes plastic for food, leading to dangerous consequences.