World Environment Day Observed at Sabarimala
SABARIMALA: World Environment Day was observed on June 5 at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam with a special conservation initiative aimed at protecting the sacred Ayyappa Poonkavanam, the forest ecosystem that forms an integral part of the Lord Ayyappa pilgrimage landscape.
The programme was organized by the Periyar Tiger Reserve, West Division, Pampa Range, as part of efforts to promote environmental conservation and sustainable pilgrimage practices in the ecologically sensitive Sabarimala region.
The event gained special significance with the participation of Sabarimala Chief Priest (Melshanthi) Sri E.D. Prasad, who joined forest officials, security personnel and temple authorities in planting, The symbolic act highlighted the shared commitment of spiritual and environmental institutions towards preserving the sacred forests surrounding the shrine.
Held in connection with the national "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, the initiative focused on strengthening green cover in and around the pilgrimage zone, promoting bamboo plantation to help prevent soil erosion on the steep hill slopes, eliminating plastic waste from the fragile ecosystem, and creating awareness among devotees about their role in protecting nature.
Forest officials said that safeguarding the Ayyappa Poonkavanam is crucial not only for maintaining ecological balance but also for preserving the spiritual heritage of Sabarimala. Through awareness activities and conservation measures, the campaign seeks to encourage pilgrims to view environmental protection as a sacred responsibility.
By launching the initiative at the heart of the shrine, authorities conveyed a strong message that devotion and conservation must go hand in hand. The programme concluded with a call for collective action to preserve the forests that sustain both the natural environment and the spiritual traditions of Sabarimala.
The message highlighted during the event was clear: "Forest is life; if we protect the forest, our future is secure."