Foresters to create fire line from Thirumurthy foothill to Kurumalai

TIRUPPUR: Revenue and forest department officials under the leadership of Udumalaipet Revenue Divisional Officer N Kumar decided to create a 6-metre-wide fire line from the foothill of Thirumurthy to Kurumalai settlement in Anamalai Tiger Reserve for those residing in the hill villages. This decision was made after the members of the Tamil Nadu Tribal People’s Association along with the villagers of various Udumalai tribal settlements started an indefinite protest in front of the District Forest Officers office on Friday urging officials for a road to their settlement. However, if a road is constructed from the foothill of Thirumurthy to Kurumalai at a distance of about six kilometres, the people of these seven settlements can easily come to Udumalaipet.” Sources said that during a discussion with villagers, officials decided to create a six-meter-wide fire line from the foothill of Thirumurthy to the Kurumalai settlement, along the traditional path that the tribal people have been using for a long time. Sources added, “A decision has also been made to maintain the existing mud roads and to take necessary steps to maintain the footbridge across the River Palar on the road leading to Thalingi settlement.