TIRUVANNAMALAI INDIA, November 8, 2017 (The Hindu): This Karthigai Deepam (December 2), devotees will not be allowed to climb up the Annamalai Hills in Tiruvannamalai during the festival of Karthigai Deepam which attracts hundreds of thousands of worshippers. Collector K.S. Kandasamy said this decision was taken keeping in mind the safety of devotees. “Every year, at least five to 10 devotees die after climbing the hill in incidents such as stampede. We do not want accidents to take place. We will be closing the official routes to climb up the hill, and also check on the unofficial routes. There are nine check points that will be closed, and no devotee will be allowed to climb the hill on Karthigai Deepam,” he said. The Collector observed that there were instances of forest fires due to carrying of torches. “Now, there is more green cover on the hill,” he added. A total of 300 personnel of the Forest Department will be deployed around the Annamalai Hills.
See an older report on reforestation efforts for the famed hill where Ramana Maharishi meditated for years:
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/holy-hill-gets-its-groves-back-afforestation-initiative-that-resulted-in-arunachala-hill-in-tiruvannamalai/article17752738.ece