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Politics The Hindu National Politics • Oct 08, 2026

Kerala MLA M.J. Sebastian Demands 24/7 Access to Sabarimala Trek Path: Forest Officials Raise Wildlife Safety Concerns

💡 Key Takeaways

•Poonjar MLA M.J. Sebastian demands 24/7 access to the 30.7-km Sabarimala trek path.
•Forest officials raise serious safety concerns regarding wildlife movement at night.
•Stakeholders emphasize the need to balance pilgrim convenience with environmental laws.

NEW DELHI [NCRBuzz Wire] — ### Sabarimala Trek Path Access Dispute

**NEW DELHI [NCRBuzz Wire] — Poonjar MLA M.J. Sebastian has formally urged the KERALA government to permit round-the-clock pedestrian access along the 30.7-kilometer Sabarimala pilgrimage route to reduce severe congestion.** The legislator argued that extended operational hours would streamline crowd movement and provide much-needed convenience to millions of devotees visiting the shrine during peak seasons.

**Forest department authorities have countered the proposal by emphasizing that large segments of the traditional trekking route traverse dense, ecologically sensitive forest reserves.** According to official departmental positions, night-time trekking presents extreme vulnerabilities regarding human-wildlife conflict, as the area is frequently inhabited by elephants, leopards, and other protected species.

| Stakeholder / Authority | Position / Perspective | Key Rationale |

|---|---|---|

| Poonjar MLA M.J. Sebastian | Supports 24/7 trek access | Alleviates severe pilgrimage congestion and improves travel convenience |

| Kerala Forest Department | Opposes night-time access | Mitigates human-wildlife conflict risks in sensitive forest zones |

| Pilgrimage Management Bodies | Awaiting formal review | Balancing crowd logistics with statutory environmental safeguards |

**Political and administrative stakeholders remain divided on the appropriate regulatory framework to balance seasonal tourism demands with wildlife protection mandates.** Observers note that any policy alteration will require comprehensive inter-departmental consensus between the TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD and the State Forest Department to ensure absolute adherence to environmental protection laws.

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🏛️ Background Context

Sabarimala pilgrimage management historically requires meticulous crowd control due to millions of annual visitors, frequently intersecting with environmental and wildlife protection regulations enforced by the Kerala Forest Department.

💡 Citizen & Commuter Quick Explainer (FAQ)

Q1: What is the main proposal submitted by MLA M.J. Sebastian?

The MLA has demanded round-the-clock (24/7) pedestrian access to the 30.7-kilometer Sabarimala trek path to ease severe pilgrimage congestion.

Q2: Why are forest officials opposing the round-the-clock access proposal?

Forest authorities cite severe human-wildlife conflict risks as large sections of the trekking route pass through protected forest zones frequented by wild animals.

Q3: What is the immediate next step in resolving this access dispute?

The proposal requires detailed inter-departmental consultations between temple management boards and the Kerala Forest Department before any policy modification.

Verified Wires: The Hindu National Politics Original Wire Dispatch ↗

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