Trekking resumes in Karnataka with strict rules against plastic pollution

Bengaluru: Trekking in Karnataka resumed at five of the 23 trails as the Forest Department launched its new website to book online tickets on Thursday, eight months after suspending trekking due to overcrowding in some of the trails.

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre, who launched the site aranyavihaara.karnataka.gov.in, said the department conducted carrying capacity studies and decided to allow a maximum of 300 trekkers per day.

"We are launching five trails in the beginning. Another 18 trails will be launched within the end of this month. We are aware of the fact that there are more trekking trails in Karnataka and looking into the possibility of increasing the list of sites," he said.

The five trails launched on Thursday are Talakaveri-Nishani Motte, Beedahalli-Kumaraparvata-Beedahalli, Beedahalli-Kumaraparvata-Subramanya in Kodagu district, Skandagiri in Chikkaballapur district and Nagamalai in Chamarajanagar district.

An invididual can book a total of 10 tickets, prices of which are based on the length of the trail and duration of trekking. The department will refund 100 per cent of the amount if the booking is cancelled seven days prior to the booked date and 50 per cent for cancellation between seven and two days. There will be no refund for cancelling tickets in the last two days.

To a question on the illegal trekking activities conducted by private agencies, the minister said the department cannot regulate activities that are outside the forest areas. "However, any activity that happens within the boundary of forest will be checked and action will be taken. With regard to the activities conducted by the Tourist Department, we will coordinate with them," he said referring to the places the department has allowed Jungle Lodges and Resort in the forests.

Earlier, the Karnataka Eco Tourism Board was handling the trekking activities by providing online ticketing to visitors. However, videos and images showed that on January 26 and 27, thousands of tourists had crowded the ecologically sensitive Kumara Parvatha. The incident prompted the minister to order suspension of activities and order an inquiry.

Khandre said the ticketing scam in which officials and personnel in the Board, an agency under the department, were involved in blocking trekking tickets for the public while illegally selling tickets to private agencies and individuals beyond the carrying capacity.

"We have also conducted an inquiry into the ticketing scam and disciplinary action has been taken against those who were found involved. The outsourced personnel have been dismissed from the job. I have also ordered an inquiry into the alleged involvement of department officials," he said.

Crackdown on plastic pollution

Khandre said strict rules will be followed in regulating eco tourism in sensitive areas, including the pollution caused by visitors. "Plastic (covers and bottles) will not be allowed in the trails. The visitors will be given an opportunity to dispose of such waste before they begin the trek. If anyone is found carrying the banned plastic, a penalty will be imposed on them," he said.

When it was pointed out that lack of drinking water and toilet facilities at the trekking points was a major hurdle to maintain sanitation, Khandre told DH that steps will be taken to provide both the facilities within the end of the month.