Karnataka Forest Department Implements Strict Trekking SOP After Safety Concerns
In response to growing concerns over missing trekkers in state forests, the Karnataka forest department has introduced a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to regulate eco-trails, hiking, and trekking activities. Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre announced the measures, warning that violators will be blacklisted and permanently banned from Karnataka's forests.
Key Regulations and Group Size Limits
The SOP, released following a recent incident where a Kerala trekker went missing on the Tadiandamol trail in Kodagu, imposes strict caps on group sizes. Each trekking batch is limited to a maximum of 10 participants, with an overall daily cap of 150 trekkers across the state's 44 recognized forest trails. For every 10 trekkers, one trained guide is mandatory, and even solo trekkers must be accompanied by a guide without exception. Local youth will be trained and hired on a contract basis, with a portion of trekking revenue allocated for village development.
Trail Classification and Operational Guidelines
All trekking routes have been categorized into three levels: easy half-day (A), moderate full-day (B), and advanced (C). Overnight stays are prohibited, requiring all treks to be completed within a single day. The longest trail extends up to 19 kilometers, with all water sources mapped. The department will collaborate with the General Thimayya National Academy of Adventure (GETHNAA) for rescue operations.
- Category B and C trails will feature rest points every 2 kilometers or 60 minutes of walking, whichever comes first, equipped with shaded seating.
- Category A trails will have rest stops based on route length.
Safety Equipment and Communication Protocols
The SOP mandates the use of GPS-enabled walkie-talkies or two-way radios, which must be fully charged and tested before departure. Guides, wearing high-visibility jackets, will carry topographic maps, a compass, GPS-enabled smartphones with offline maps, whistles, and flashlights with spare batteries. Trails will be marked at 200-meter intervals using approved markers.
Kumar Pushkar, Chief Wildlife Warden, emphasized that guides will conduct pre-trek briefings on safety rules and emergency procedures. They must maintain radio contact with base camps every 30 minutes, with welfare checks initiated if calls are missed. Trekkers are not allowed to leave the group or stray from marked trails.
Base Camp Amenities and Registration Requirements
Base camps will be equipped with essential facilities, including potable water, toilets, handwashing stations, and first-aid rooms. Radio operators at base camps will be linked to the Integrated Command Control Centre in Bengaluru 24/7. Registration for trekking is exclusively through the Aranya Vihaara portal, requiring a valid photo ID. Trekkers under 18 need parental consent, while those over 60 must provide a medical fitness certificate. Registration closes 48 hours before the trek day.
Wildlife and Emergency Protocols
Treks will be canceled if foresters report wildlife movement near trails. Guides will not carry arms due to lack of training. In case of a lost trekker, the group must stop immediately, and the guide will inform the base camp with location details. Rescue teams, including SDRF and GETHNAA, will be activated, with thermal cameras and drones deployed as needed.
Navigation and Trail Marking
Trails will be marked with colored signs on trees and rocks, with arrow indicators at junctions. Danger zones like cliffs will be marked in red. Digital trail maps with offline versions will be available on the department's website and app, and QR codes at base camps will link to these maps. Mobile network dead zones will be mapped and communicated to trekkers in advance.
