Following representations from politicians, farmers and the public, the Forest Department has started allowing the people of Talavadi to use the 23 km Dhimbam - Talamalai forest road without paying the vehicle entry fee, from Saturday.
Though Talavadi is located in Tamil Nadu, vehicles need to traverse 15 km through roads in Karnataka, including the Dindigul – Mysuru National Highway 948, to reach Talavadi. Since the lockdown came into effect in Karnataka, the check-post at Punajanur in Karnataka was closed and vehicles were not allowed to proceed towards Talavadi.
The Talamalai Road that passes through Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) is allowed only for people of six hamlets located inside the STR from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Since the Punajanur check-post was closed, buses and vegetable-laden vehicles were allowed to pass through Talamalai Road to reach Talavadi after paying the fee at the forest check-post at Dhimbam that comes under Talamalai Forest Range of Sathyamangalam Division.
Since farmers have to bear the additional cost, they demanded exemption from the fees. On Friday, P.L. Sundaram, former Bhavanisagar MLA, farmers and the public, came to the check-post and asked Talamalai Forest Range Officer Suresh to allow vehicles to Talavadi without collecting the fee. The issue was taken up with Kiruba Shankar, District Forest Officer, Sathyamangalam Division, who held discussions with higher officials. It was decided to allow vehicles to Talavadi without collecting the fee until the lockdown is relaxed in Karnataka. Hence, from Saturday, fees were not collected from vehicles proceeding towards Talavadi.
Forest Department officials said that only local people will be allowed to use the Talamalai Road and visitors will not be allowed to use the road.
