The Velliangiri Hills, a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere, are on the Western Ghats bordering Coimbatore district. It is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including rare medicinal herbs.

Thenkailaya Bhakti Peravai, formed four years ago, launched its cleaning drive there as part of the World Environment Day.

“On June 18, we cleaned the fourth and fifth hill. Our ‘Thenkailaya Bhakti Peravai’ used to conduct cleanups once in a year. But from this we have been doing it every Sunday,” said volunteer N Siva Shankar.

Around 40 volunteers from Chennai, Vathalakundu, Sivakasi, Velayuthampalayam, Namakkal, Thiruvarur, Bengaluru, Thirunelveli and nearby towns came together and participated in clearing plastic waste and non-degradable garbage.

The movement creates awareness among public and Velliangiri devotees about the sacredness of the mountains, he added.