The Kumily grama panchayat has opened a medical camp to help Sabarimala pilgrims during the Makaravilakku season. The camp is set up in the Forest Office building in Kumily town. Kumily grama panchayat president M.M. Varghese officially launched it on Tuesday. Kumily panchayat secretary R. Ashok Kumar said the camp will offer allopathy, ayurveda, homoeopathy, and siddha treatments. It will run 24 hours daily until the festival ends. Mr. Kumar explained, "Thousands of pilgrims use the Kumily route, and this camp will provide significant relief to them." The camp started after Idukki District Collector Dinesan Cheruvat directed to arrange healthcare facilities. Initially, the Forest department opposed the plan. But after a meeting between Mr. Varghese and Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) East Deputy Director P.U. Saju on Sunday, permission was granted. Recently, tensions rose between the local panchayat and the Forest department. The department blocked temporary toilets near the Sree Dharma Shasta Temple and seized installed equipment. Seeing the repeated hurdles, the District Collector warned Forest officials that he may use the Disaster Management Act to ensure vital medical and sanitation services. On another front, Mr. Varghese wrote to the Chief Minister and the Forest Minister about problems arranging parking and other necessities for pilgrims. The Forest department refused to open the Anavachal ground for temporary parking, citing a Supreme Court order. But Mr. Cheruvat said, "I have found no such court orders, and the department has not provided a copy of any such ruling." He added, "I have sent a letter to the government requesting that parking be allowed on the Anavachal ground during the Makaravilakku season. I hope the government will issue a clear directive to the Forest department regarding this." This move aims to ease pilgrim traffic during the busy festival time.