‘Open defecation in Mudumalai’s rivers during temple festivals a risk to wildlife’
Defecation into rivers contaminates the minimal water that these waterbodies have in the summer to meet animals’ needs, say conservationists
The surge in devotees to multiple temple festivals in the buffer zone of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) is raising concerns about the possibility of river contamination due to open defecation.
The MTR buffer zone hosts temple festivals in Bokkapuram, Siriyur, Chokkanalli and Anaikatty each summer, when rivers flowing through the landscape have very little water.
According to conservationists who are part of the teams recording the impacts that the festivals have on local ecosystems, river and water hole contamination due to open defecation, fires and fireworks are disturbing the wildlife, especially criticallyendangered species of vultures found in the region.
“Each year, the temple festivals become more and more popular and draw in an increasing number of devotees not only from the Nilgiris, but from surrounding districts in Tamil Nadu and even Karnataka,” said a conservationist.
While the largest temple festival in Bokkapuram had around 30 biotoilets installed, the other temples had significantly fewer toilets for people to use. “This has led to people defecating into Sigurhalla and Siriyur Halla rivers, which are important lifelines for wildlife,” said another conservationist from the Nilgiris, adding that the number of biotoilets at Bokkapuram too was insufficient for the number of visitors.
The MTR buffer zones is home to more tigers, leopards, sloth bear and elephants than the core area, and is also home to three criticallyendangered species of vultures and the only population of hyenas in the Nilgiris.
Forest Department field staff said there was also a reluctance from men to use the toilets installed at the venues. “The effects of the contamination of the river may become more pronounced as the festivals take place during the height of the dry season, when water levels are low and animals are desperately searching for water,” added conservationists, who have been calling for stricter controls on temple tourism in protected areas in the Nilgiris. Local residents have also voiced their complaints about the use of fireworks during the festivals, increasing the risk of forest fires.
When contacted, P. Arunkumar, Deputy Director of MTR (Buffer Zone), said the Forest Department had stepped up checking at forest checkposts on the way to the temples where the festivals were organised. “We seized alcohol bottles and banned plastic, and parking for the vehicles was also organised to minimise the effects of the festival on the local environment,” he said.