Multi-pronged strategy to prevent fleecing

SABARIMALA:  The Forest Department has initiated a multi-pronged strategy  to prevent fleecing of Sabarimala pilgrims by the hotels and shops run by eco-development committees (EDCs) on the traditional forest route of Erumely-Azhutha-Karimala during the peak Makaravilakku days. Talking to ‘Express’,   Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Rajaraja Varma  said that frequent monitoring of the functioning of EDC-run hotels and shops and  random checking of prices levied on food items and quality of items had already been implemented at various levels to ensure a pilgrim-friendly atmosphere on the trekking path. Instructions had already been issued to the DFOs to pass the message to the 300-odd EDCs on the forest path about the broad objectives of the department to ensure a pilgrim-friendly attitude towards the  pilgrims,  Rajaraja Varma said. Months before the pilgrim season, awareness programmes  had been organised at various levels by the department for the secretaries of the EDCs about the objectives behind setting up of the EDCs and their responsibility of ensuring fair dealings  with pilgrims, he said.  Rajaraja Varma said that the Forest Control Room at Pampa and the flying squads at Thekkady and Mundakayam had been given powers to initiate action against the erring EDC-run hotels and shops.  Special squads had been formed to conduct raids on hotels managed by the EDCs to ensure that only fair prices are charged from pilgrims and ensure the quality of the food items, Varma said. The squads had also been given powers to take stern action, including cancellation of permits,  against those EDCs which violate norms, he said.The EDC-run hotels and shops had been issued instructions to put up display boards of the items available and the prices fixed by the government authorities, Rajaraja Varma said.The pilgrims could ask for the complaint book available with the EDCs to record  their complaints,  he said.