Trekking banned in hilly areas of Salem district due forest fire risk

SALEM: Citing the risk of wildfires as summer season is around the corner, forest department officials have banned trekking in hilly areas of Salem district. Officials said the decision was made in response to past and recent fire incidents.Authorities had permitted trekking in Yercaud Hills, Mettur Pachamalai and Attur Kalvarayan Hills in the district. “Recently, a fire broke out in the forest areas of Yercaud and Vazhapadi, following which we banned mountaineering training and trekking until the end of the summer season,” said a forest official.The officials also warned people against entering the forest to collect firewood or graze cattle.