Planning a trek in Karnataka’s Western Ghats? Book your trek online in advance

The Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre launched the website https://aranyavihaara.karnataka.gov.in for booking trekking permits online and obtaining indispensable clearances for treks successful districts similar Kodagu and Chikmagalur.

He announced stringent measures, including limiting the fig of trekkers and banning integrative items specified arsenic h2o bottles and transportation bags successful the wood regions. Khandre said, “Plastic poses a important menace to the situation and wildlife, necessitating strict enforcement of this ban. A two-phase inspection process volition beryllium carried retired for vehicles entering wood areas and trekkers. In the archetypal phase, individuals volition beryllium requested to voluntarily dispose of prohibited items successful designated bins. During the 2nd phase, inspections volition beryllium conducted, and violators caught with banned items volition beryllium fined.”

“These measures are indispensable to power the adverse biology interaction caused by expanding footfall astatine trekking sites. Only 300 trekkers volition beryllium allowed per time connected designated trekking routes to forestall overcrowding and to guarantee minimal disturbance to the earthy surroundings,” said Khandre.

The request for specified a regularisation was underscored by the chaos witnessed earlier this twelvemonth erstwhile 5,000 to 6,000 tourists descended connected Kumara Parvatha connected a azygous day, starring to logistical challenges and biology degradation. The online strategy volition present facilitate the preservation of tickets for each trekking paths, providing trekkers the flexibility to take alternate trails if 1 is afloat booked.

Trekkers tin publication the Talacauvery-Nishani Motte, Subramanya-Kumara Parvatha, and Beedahalli treks successful Kodagu and the Nagamali trek successful Chikmagalur. Based connected the availability connected the selected dates, the website allows radical to publication their slots. Following which, the users person the enactment of adding visitors and tin past proceed to the outgo surface for online payment.

By the extremity of October, 40 trekking paths crossed the authorities volition beryllium integrated into the online platform. Furthermore, bookings for wildlife and vessel safaris volition besides beryllium made disposable connected the aforesaid website. To streamline the process and debar exploitation by backstage operators, each idiosyncratic volition beryllium allowed to publication a maximum of 10 tickets. Cancellation 7 days anterior to the trek volition entitle afloat refunds, portion partial deductions volition use for cancellations made aft that, a Forest section authoritative said.

Khandre besides said that the authorities is cracking down connected fraudulent practices by backstage tourism operators who acquisition tickets successful bulk, denying genuine trekkers the accidental to participate.

In response, the online strategy mandates the submission of government-issued recognition cards, specified arsenic PAN oregon driving licenses, on with the preservation to guarantee accountability. “A much important interest is the engagement of immoderate Forest Department employees who were recovered to beryllium colluding with backstage companies to artifact tickets astatine fashionable trekking spots similar Skandagiri. Investigations person been launched, and a fewer employees person been suspended pending further inquiry,” said Khandre.

The authorities has besides promised to make a mobile squad akin to those successful the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to behaviour random checks connected trekking paths. Any trekkers recovered utilizing fake tickets volition look ineligible action.

To guarantee that trekkers not lone bask the acquisition but besides larn astir the affluent biodiversity of the region, the authorities volition name guides astatine a ratio of 1 usher per 10-20 trekkers. These guides volition supply accusation astir the flora and fauna of the area, arsenic good arsenic the section past and important information measures to beryllium followed during the trek.