As the forest trekking path of the lofty Agasthyarkoodam, the panoramic second highest peak of Kerala, is set to be opened for women for the first time, it is ecstasy for some and agony for others.
For the women trekkers, the news of the State government’s decision to lift the long-standing ban to enable them scale the 1,868-metre-high scenic peak, located inside the fragile Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, is all excitement.
Even as they are all set to pack their bags to climb the peak and enjoy the beauty of the nature, which they have heard only from their male counterparts so far, an indigenous tribal group is worried about the breaking of their traditional belief and centuries-old forest customs.
‘It’s our life and belief’
According to Kani tribes, living on the foothills, the mountain range is the holy abode of their deity Agastya Muni, the Hindu sage who is believed to be the guardian of the inhabitants, and women are traditionally not permitted to climb the peak, where his idol is installed. The tribal women have been following the restrictions from time immemorial and they will not go beyond Athiramala, the base camp located about six kilometre from the peak.
They also fear that the increasing number of trekkers would pollute their place of worship, which is in an ecologically-sensitive zone.
Besides being trekker’s paradise, Agasthyarkoodam is a prominent pilgrimage destination for Hindus who believe that Agastya, one among the Saptarishis (the seven sages regarded in the Vedas as the patriarchs of the Vedic religion.), is still meditating atop the hills.
“We are very much pained and depressed with the Forest Department’s decision to permit women trekkers,” said Mohanan Triveni, State President of Adivasi Mahasabha.
“For the Forest Department and the trekkers, it is an adventure spot, but for us it is our life and belief.”
Lifting the ban
Known as ‘Kanikkar’ in local parlance, around 2,000 tribals live on the foothills of Agastyarkoodam, located about 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala High Court had on November 30 ruled that no gender-based restrictions can be imposed on those who intend to trek Agasthyarkoodam, and lifted the unofficial ban on women from scaling the peak.
The State government had told the High Court that no one had any vested right to trek to Agasthyarkoodam.
Based on the court order, the Forest Department has decided to allow women trekkers also at Agasthyarkoodam for the first time, following which a number of women have registered for the walk.
The trekking season begins from January 14 and goes on till March 1. The number of trekkers would be restricted to 100 per day, Forest Department sources said. The Department charges ₹1,000 per trekker, they said.