Tirupati Pilgrims Will Now Have To Carry A Wood Stick. This is Why

Hyderabad:

Devotees making the tough climb to the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji temple will now have to hold one further factor – a persist with battle off wild animals. 

After a 6-year-old woman was killed by a leopard on the best way to the temple final week, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has put a variety of measures in place to keep away from a repeat. Pilgrims taking the pedestrian pathway to the temple will now need to go in batches of 100, accompanied by a safety guard. 

Each devotee may even be given a wood persist with defend themselves in case of a wild animal assault. “We are going to present everybody with a stick, regardless of what number of are required,” stated B Karunakar Reddy, chairperson, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

To keep away from attracting wild animals, devotees and meals stalls on the route have been suggested to not litter meals. Devotees have additionally been instructed to not feed monkeys, stated a TTD official. 

The official stated a proposal to fence the pedestrian space has been despatched to the Union Ministry of Setting and Forests for clearance, as a result of the temple is situated in a reserved forest space. 

Given the frenzy on the temple, nevertheless, a number of the measures have made devotees sad. “We come from such faraway locations. If they do not enable kids after 2 pm, we’ll find yourself having to attend the entire evening, until 5 am the following day,” stated Swati Kiran, who has a six-year-old son. 

“As a substitute of stopping pilgrims, they need to present further safety or fence the pathway,” stated one other devotee, Balakrishna Goud, from Hyderabad

Six-year-old Lakshita and her household had been utilizing the pedestrian pathway to get to the temple when she was attacked and killed by a leopard on Friday evening. She had strayed from the trail after the household had refused to purchase her one thing, and her physique was later present in some bushes. 

The leopard which is suspected to have killed Lakshita was trapped 48 hours after her dying, however forest officers say there are extra wild animals – together with leopards and sloth bears – within the space.

TTD officers stated 500 CCTV cameras are being put in alongside each the pedestrian routes connecting Alipiri and Tirumala and one other connecting Srivari Mettu (the lord’s footprints). “If obligatory, drone cameras may even be procured. Animal trackers and docs may even be made obtainable around the clock,” an official stated.

Focus lights are being put in so that there’s a visibility of 30 metres across the pedestrian path. Signage warning of untamed animal assaults may even be positioned at Seventh Mile, Galigopuram, Alipiri and different key factors.