After Kurangani forest fire claims 9 lives, Kerala temporarily bans trekking in forest areas

Thiruvananthapuram, March 12: Today the deaths shook many after the Kurangani forest fire in Tamil Nadu. Kerala announced the ‘temporary ban’ on ‘trekking’. The dead include 4 men, 4 women and a child. Of the 27 who were rescued, 8 suffered major burns, while 10 others have minor injuries.

 

The Kerala government today temporarily banned trekking in forest areas in the state. A decision to this effect was taken by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, a statement issued by the chief minister's office said.

As many as nine people, who were part of a trekking expedition, were killed in the forest fire at Kurangani hills near Theni district, about 500 km from Chennai. The State Forest Department has been directed to take all necessary precautions to prevent forest fires, the statement quoted Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as saying.

The State Forest Department has been directed to take all necessary precautions to prevent forest fires. A 36 member team, 24 people from Chennai and 12 from Tirupur and Erode districts: on a trekking expedition had reached Kurangani hills on March 10.