PNS | TIRUMALA
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has taken two important decisions to safeguard pilgrims from wild beasts, especially those targeting children.
The first decision is to allow pilgrims with children aged below 15 years to trek on both footpath routes only from 5 am to 2 pm. This decision came into force on Sunday.
The second decision is to stall the movement of two-wheelers from 6 pm to 6 am. This decision will also come into force from Sunday.
TTD chairman, B Karunakara Reddy, will hold a high-level meeting with the TTD Executive Officer, District Collector, and Superintendent of Police on Monday evening to discuss further measures to be taken to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
The TTD has appealed to devotees to cooperate with the guidelines issued by the TTD in the larger interests of the pilgrim devotees until the issue of wild beasts is resolved.
The TTD’s decision comes after a series of attacks by wild beasts, including leopards, on pilgrims in recent months. In the latest incident, a leopard attacked and injured a 10-year-old boy near Alipiri on Saturday.
The TTD has said that it is taking all necessary steps to prevent further attacks by wild beasts. These steps include increasing the number of forest guards and patrolling the area around the temple. The TTD has also urged pilgrims to be careful and avoid trekking alone in the forest. Pilgrims with children are advised to trek only during the day and to stay away from areas where there have been reports of wild animal sightings.
