Tiruvannamalai clears forest waste along sacred Girivalam pilgrimage route

Forest officials in Tiruvannamalai have successfully cleared accumulated waste materials from forest areas bordering the Girivalam path, a 14-kilometre sacred circumambulation route around the Arunachaleswara Temple that attracts thousands of pilgrims annually. The cleanup operation, conducted under the 'Clean Tiruvannamalai' initiative, resulted in the removal of over one tonne of debris and waste materials from the forest floor. The District Collector received a formal request from the Forest Department to undertake the waste removal operation, highlighting concerns about environmental degradation in the sensitive forest ecosystem. The initiative reflects growing efforts by district administration and forest authorities to balance religious tourism with environmental conservation in the region. Officials have indicated that sustained efforts will continue to maintain cleanliness along the pilgrimage route and protect the forest habitat that surrounds one of South India's most revered spiritual destinations.