Yeah, technology has made us so dependent. Pretty much anything is accessible with the touch of a button these days. It's useful for sure, but its good to experience life without it once in a while.

Yes, we have way too many people here. Tourists really have no regard for the beautiful surroundings. Also the forests are protected because a lot of local endemic trees known as Sholas have been replaced by invasive species like Eucalyptus and the forest department wants to preserve the remaining sholas. Introducing ignorant people to a delicate ecosystem is bound to cause adverse effects, so it's in everyone's interest that the forests remain closed to the public.