Tirunelveli: Shops in coutralam town where people throng during June to September season to take bath in the falls and enjoy their picnic remained closed on Sunday protesting the High Court order banning sale of soaps, detergents and oil to prevent contamination of the falls.
The High court had given 33 directions to the district administration to protect the ecology and environment of coutralam.
Following a report by a team that the water was getting contaminated following usage of soaps, detergents and oil by those who were taking bath in the falls, Panchayat Executive Office Lingaraju said.
The environment of coutralam was getting spoiled, local body officials said, adding, the main directions included ban on taking oil baths, soap bath and washing clothes using detergents and closure of liquor shops.
According to police the people also blocked the road traffic on the Coutralam-Tenkasi road near Nannagaram where the officials tried to shift a liquor shop following the High Court direction to close the shop near the falls as drunkards caused nuisance to the public, Police said.
According to Lakshmi a trader, their sale of oil and soap was seasonal and if their shops were closed they would loose their livelihood.
