Too many trekkers spoil the mountains Premium

Activists have called for stringent measures and access to be limited to only serious trekkers studying forests and the environment

After 4,000 trekkers climbed the Kumara Parvatha peak in the ecologically fragile Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary on the Republic Day weekend, an alarmed Karnataka government temporarily banned trekking in the State. Until a standard operating procedure is put in place, routes without an online booking system would remain closed, it said.

Although temporary in nature, the ban will effectively extend until September, as trekking is not allowed in the forest from March to September due to the risks associated with the monsoon months and probable forest fires.

Also read | Karnataka’s troubled trekking trails

Videos of a traffic jam of climbers en route to the peak went viral on social media. The government took this decision after ecologists and conservationists raised concerns about the damage that this could cause to the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats. While welcoming prompt action from the government, activists have called for more stringent measures and access to be limited to only serious trekkers studying forests and the environment.

Nowadays, many young trekkers with disposable incomes book weekend getaways that are challenging. They often flood social media with their personal vlogs, capturing their unique experience of negotiating a tough terrain. At a height of 5,600 feet, the Kumara Parvatha in Dakshina Kannada is considered one of the toughest treks in south India. The trek extends 25 km both ways, starting from the Kukke Subramanya temple, about 280 km from Bengaluru.

Several private tourism agents and trekking clubs offer trekking packages to large groups, which include food packets, tents, and forest entry fees. So much so that forest department officials face challenges in handling the crowds at entry points. This is where baggage is checked for banned items and passes are then issued. Some serious trekkers have likened the weekend crowds to that of the Everest base camp during peak season and prefer to trek during the weekdays.

It is puzzling that the forest department has not fixed restrictions on the number of trekkers who can enter the forest per day, especially since the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2020-26 (revised) states that “ecotourism activities shall focus on increasing awareness towards conservation and sustainability of biodiversity and natural environments.” It adds, “The development and promotion of ecotourism shall be done after careful consideration of the destination’s carrying capacity…”