Carbon emissions engulf Tirumala Hills

​Tirupati: The eco-system, marked by rich flora and fauna in Tirumala Hills adding aesthetic beauty to spiritual ambience in the Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple, has increasingly come under serious threat of pollution due to rising carbon emissions.

The disturbing trend propelled by a spurt in the number of vehicles of all sorts zooming up to the Hills with pilgrims for a darshan by ghat road brings to the fore the debate on the need for more eco-friendly pathways connecting the temple from the foot of the hills from different locations.

“Increasing levels of CO2 in the Seven Hills is a major cause of concern and a threat to fauna, especially terrestrial animals with an adverse impact on all metabolic activities.

Though the effect of CO2 is minimal on insects, the species like butterflies may face a serious threat in Tirumala hills, M Rajasekhar, Assistant Professor from Zoology department, SV University, has said.

Presently, there are two pathways to the Tirumala Hills—one from Srivari mettlu( 8km stretch ) and another one from Alipiri (17km stretch), enabling the devout to reach the shrine by walk, chanting ‘Govinda namam’.

In the wake of the pollution threat, the need for opening two more existing pathways each from Annamaiah Kalibata(25km) from Railway Koduru in Kadapa district and Talakona, a passage being used for trekking at present ( 22 km) is increasingly felt.

According to official data, around 15000 pilgrims are going to Tirumala in normal days and 20000 during festival days by foot through the two pathways. The figure is relatively much below when compared to the number of pilgrims travelling on the ghat road by motor vehicles, which include two-wheelers and cars.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’ (TTD) runs a high frequency of bus services from Tirupati to Tirumala, transporting the devotees.

By: K Nethaji