Perils of Devotion

Sri Himovad Gopalaswamy temple is a revered temple by the local villagers and a popular tourist destination.
Over the years the temple has now turned into a weekend picnic venue. From the data acquired through RTI act About a 2500 people visit the temple on weekends and public holidays, and close to 19000 people visit during major festivities such as the annual rathotsava in April and in of Shravana which happens between August and September. We need to understand the effects on wildlife.
The temple has a long archeological history dating back to Cholan dynasty, was not so popular until 1995 when the road was constructed and economic boom in 2000. Wide coverage provided by the press and electronic media boosted its popularity. Hence crowd volume has been increasing by leaps and bounds in recent years.
Being a protected wildlife habitat it is home to many endangered species such as our national animal the Tiger, Elephants, and Dholes, Giant Squirrel, Civets and Mouse Deer to name a few. These need free spaces to graze, rest, drink among other daily chores.
The shola forests provide grazing all year round. Herbivores like Chital or the Deer, Gaur and Elephants live in herds. They graze throughout the day constantly moving. These animals are Diurnal and do not tolerate unnatural disturbances. Animals such as Mongoose roam around the forest floor for roots, fallen fruits, Insect etc. Crested serpent Eagle a bird of prey hover over the sky for Lizards and Snakes etc. Carnivores move around to either to hunt, Cool down or quench their thirst.
As per the notification of Bandipur national Park it’s a restricted area the right of access to the temple acquired through RTI act is for religious purposes alone, but people are misusing the access provided to make merry and picnic.
The urge to explore the landscape and spend more time is over whelming. Cheered by occasional sightings and Lush mist filled mountains with green carpet is all but inviting. Photographers throng to capture vivid image of the Landscape. Family groups prefer to have food and play games. It is not surprising to see youth trekking and consuming Liquor. During the Fruiting season people are seen eating Amla, Bettada Nallikai in Kannada, Visitors mistake the IB of the forest department to a palace of Maharajas of Mysore.
Villagers revere the deity and throng to the temple during the Major festivities such as the Annual Rathotsava and Shravana. These villagers trek up the hill through the forests. Camp at Water holes and streams, chop firewood Set up Fire Play loud music, This disturbance happens for at least two or three days. And the risk of forest fire is ever persistent in the dry season.
When a Leopard enters a village or City .We want it out at any cost and don’t mind killing it. Neither is an elephant tolerated by a farmer. Is it fair for us to wander around in their home for our recreation? Wildlife reserves have been reserved for wildlife so as to provide such undisturbed landscapes. Wildlife interest should prevail over ours.
Only those who love nature and eager to see wildlife revisit the place. If we tourist limit our movements to the temple vicinity we increase the possibility of such memorable sightings, wild life when undisturbed will move freely and sightings will rise.
These wild creatures are highly sensitive to human presence. When we roam around freely we are denying them the space to carry on with their daily chores. They tend to move away towards the forest fringes. And fall prey in the snares laid by poachers and die a slow agonizing death.
Wildlife tends to lose the natural fear they have on us due to such consistent disturbance in their habitat. A villager was recently killed and eaten by what is presumed to be a Tiger not far from the temple. Such an incident has never occurred in south Indian forests in the last three decades. Other fatalities might also arise such as elephant attack or a snake bite, Anti-venom is available only in Mysore, A good ninety minutes of journey.
Elephants deprived of grazing here in turn raid the crops of surrounding villagers and sometimes get killed either by electrocution or by other means. Smaller animals such as Chital or wild boar perish by consuming poisoned baits or by numerous snares.
One might feel a short walk behind the temple may not cause much damage. Thousands picnicking or trekking throughout the day is indeed altering animal behavior for worse,
If you wish to enjoy such beautiful scenery while partying or to make merry please visit other hill stations, the purpose of visiting this temple should be devotional alone and not a picnic. Sighting wildlife is a matter of luck. Those eager sight wildlife make use of the Safari conducted by the forest department.
The temple is located inside Bandipur National Park hence a restricted area, Trespassing is a punishable offence.
To summarize
Please return back immediately after visiting the temple. Enjoy Experience the tranquility from within the temple precincts. Do not litter. Wildlife has the right of way in their forests at least. Stay silent, do not play loud music. If you are eager to see wildlife Carry binoculars and observe from the temple premises. Cherish incidental sightings. Article 51 A of our Fundamental Duties is “to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;”
A country is known by the way it treats its animals
Jawaharlal Nehru