Idukki: Thousands of tourists flock to experience the beauty and mysterious mist of Paruthumpara every season but safety restrictions remain limited. This picturesque location comes under the Peermade panchayat in Idukki and is at a distance of 4 km from the Kottarakara-Dindigul highway. 

Numerous tourists including those who wish to see the ‘Makara Jyothi’ (holy light) during Sabarimala pilgrimage period come here during holidays. Inadequate infrastructure and lack of security often lead to complaints from tourists. 

It is common for tourists to brave upon Parunthumpara’s dangerous cliffs and meet with accidents. There are also those who engage in perilous deeds on the brink of the abyss. Night time brings with it a horde of anti-socials who lurk in the area. 

Just the other day, a young man who jumped into the gorge died. In 2007, another youth dancing in the cliff lost his life when he slipped and fell. In 2021, a North Indian woman also fell but was rescued by the fire brigade. 

Accidents also occur when vehicles climb up the mountain in the name of off-road adventure. Although the panchayat has imposed certain restrictions regarding this, the dangerous activity continues.

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Parunthunpara

There are no controls in place by any government department. The preparations and related construction work for ‘Makara Jyothi’ darshan are carried out by Peermade panchayat. The land belongs to the Revenue and Forest departments. When the panchayat attempts to begin any construction, the revenue department comes with an obstruction argument resulting in a crisis.

The state government had allocated Rs 10 crore for tourism development. The panchayath authorities had directly approached the forest, revenue and public works ministries to release the revenue-held land. This was done to avoid challenges in undertaking construction works. Further steps are underway.

Following the government’s decision to ensure police protection in tourist centres, a police outpost building was constructed in Parunthumpara several years ago but the operations of the same are yet to begin.