Residents and tourists in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district are facing significant travel disruptions after a key forest road was closed. The closure, a direct result of the state government's 2024 announcement creating the Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary, has forced people to take a lengthy 40-kilometer detour.
The Vital Link Now Closed
The affected route is a 26-kilometer forest road connecting Sivalingapuram in Krishnagiri district to Pennagaram in Dharmapuri district. This important passage, which was tarred and developed back in 2005, runs through several areas including Kempakarai Kootrodu, Yanamaduvu, Kovilpallam, Chinnaru, and Podur. To ensure its durability, nine bridges were constructed to prevent flooding and erosion during heavy rains, and in one section, a hill was even dug out to build the road. For years, it served as a crucial artery for villagers living near the forest and tourists heading to the popular Hogenakkal waterfalls.
Sanitary Boundaries Create New Barriers
Following the official declaration of the Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department moved to block a 7-kilometer stretch of this road that passes through the newly protected area. This action has effectively severed the direct connection. "Villagers now take an alternative forest route and travel more than 40 km to reach Pennagaram," explained M Kembaiya, a resident of Shivalingapuram. He emphasized that communities living near the forest are demanding the road be reopened for their use.
Economic and Infrastructural Fallout
The closure has hit local farmers particularly hard. V Anandan, from Ethakinaru, highlighted how farmers relied on this road to transport their vegetables and fruits to markets in Dharmapuri district. The situation is compounded by existing infrastructural neglect. Anandan pointed out that three bridges along the route are already damaged, and some road sections have suffered from rain. He appealed to the district administration, stating, "If these roads are renovated, this road can be used again. The Krishnagiri district administration should repair the three-km stretch immediately and arrange bus facilities for us."
The creation of the wildlife sanctuary, while aimed at conservation, has created a tangible conflict between ecological protection and the everyday needs of local communities. The demand for a balanced solution that addresses both environmental concerns and the socio-economic connectivity of the region is now at the forefront.
