Naturalists say that during 2005-09 the then District Forest Officer, Theni refused to issue permits to cattle grazing. However, since last August the forests, where wildlife movement is high, have been opened up again for grazing. Now, the wild animals, particularly newborns, would have to compete with cattle for fodder and water, complain naturalists.

S. Jayachandran of the Tamil Nadu Green Movement, said the issue concerned cattle kept in pens in the plains for eight months in a year. During the remaining period of the year, they would be taken into interior forest areas for grazing.

These are scrub cattle reared for their dung and once they become ill or weak, they are sent to abattoirs in Kerala. When these domestic animals are allowed to graze in the prime wildlife habitats, the chances of their spreading zoonotic diseases among the wildlife is very high. These diseases may wipe out the wildlife population in no time, the naturalists fear.

Allowing the cattle inside the wildlife habitat would result in loss of fodder and water for the wildlife. Apart from that, herders who go with the cattle set up temporary shelters for which they clear forest areas, remove wood for cooking, indulge in poaching and ganja cultivation, disturbing the movement of wildlife. The cattle grazing takes place in Varshanadu and Megamalai Forest Ranges, wherein wildlife movement is very high, he said.

The otherwise wildlife-rich Varshanadu and Megamalai Forest Ranges, where sighting of animals such as mouse deer, flying lizard, bison, elephants, leopard and bear is no more possible, as these animals have moved out in search of an alternative habitat, naturalists complain.

Naturalists complained nearly a dozen pens have been set up in the interior areas, where more than 2,000 head of cattle were allowed for grazing. They will be staying in the area for more than a fortnight before being brought back to the plains. At a time one herder would drive nearly 250 to 300 head of cattle into the forest, the naturalists added.