Defence PRO Dhanya Sanal Becomes 1st Woman to Trek Agasthyarkoodam

K Dhanya Sanal aims to understand the forest better, through her journey.

File photo of K Dhanya Sanal.

(Photo Courtesy: Dhanya Sanal/Facebook)

38-year-old K Dhanya Sanal, spokesperson for the Defence Ministry in Thiruvananthapuram, has reached the Agasthyarkoodam peak, becoming the first woman to scale Agasthyarkoodam peak, since an unofficial ban on trekking for women was lifted.

According to Hindustan Times, Dhanya was the only woman in the first batch of 100 trekkers who set out to scale the 1,868-metre lofty peak, known for its panoramic beauty and unique biodiversity.

She reportedly told HT that she aims to understand the forest better, through her journey.

“The journey is to understand the forest more and share the unique experience with others”

K Dhanya Sanal

The Hindu reports that 100 women signed up for the 47-day trekking season, among the 4,700 individuals who have signed up for the trek, which will continue until 1 March.

The group was instructed by the Forest Department to assemble at an assigned point near the Bonacaud estate by 7 am, following which their identity cards and registration were checked, who were then divided into five groups of 20, and the first group began trekking around 8 am.

An Eco-Development Committee has also joined each group on their expedition, and women guards have been deployed for the safety of women trekkers, reported The News Minute.

All trekkers have been provided medical insurance and canteens and other facilities are available to trekkers at Bonacaud and Athirumala base camps.

“Access to the peak, located in Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, had been unofficially banned for women trekkers due to the belief of the Kani tribals that it is the final resting place of the sage Agasthya, who, similar to the god Ayyappa at Sabarimala, is an eternal celibate,” reported The News Minute.

Kani tribals consider that allowing women to climb the hill as violative of their religious customs and practices.

According to The News Minute’s report report, women’s rights group Pennoruma secured permission from the Forest Department to make the trek in 2017. This was, however, challenged by the Adivasi Mahasabha in the Kerala HC, following which the HC issued a stay on the Forest Department’s order.

Finally, on 9 December 2018, Kerala High Court passed an order barring the gender-based restrictions on trekking to Agasthyarkoodam, reported The News Minute.

Based on the petition by Pennoruma (Kannur), Women Integration and Growth Through Sports (Malappuram) and Anweshi women’s counselling centre (Kozhikode), the order read:

“No grounds exist to interdict the entry of women into the area in question.”

(With inputs from The News Minute, The Hindu, ANI and Hindustan Times.)