Karnataka - Mysore   

10 trekking tracks thrown open in Bandipur

By Sharath S. Srivatsa

The elephant habitat in Bandipur may be disturbed if trekking routes in the forests are opened, according to environmentalists.

MYSORE, MAY 4. With the storm over opening trekking routes in Bandipur National Park blowing over, 10 trekking tracks have been identified and thrown open to the public in 860 sq.km of forest area. Considering the fragile nature of the Bandipur forest area, which comes under the Niligiri Biosphere Reserve, the decision to open trekking routes had been opposed by environmentalists. They had argued that human interference could affect conservation efforts in the area. However, the routes have now been thrown open to the public, and information pertaining to adventure tourism put on the Internet.

The trekking programme was envisaged to raise additional revenue to the Forest Department, and promote adventure tourism and informal conservation efforts.

Enquiries with the Forest Department reveal that not many groups have come forward to use the trekking routes. Sources say that the lack of enthusiasm is because of the weather conditions in summer. The department is expecting more nature enthusiasts to arrive once the area receives rain and the forest belt turns green.

Environmentalists have opposed the decision to use anti-poaching camps located in the core areas of the forest as resting places for trekkers. Providing accommodation to trekkers at camps in places such as Dhanahoratti and Kullanabetta could lead to misuse of the facility, they say.

Environmentalists fear poachers under the guise of nature enthusiasts could enter the forests. Vivek Cariappa, a nature enthusiast, says that large groups should not be allowed inside the core area of the forest as it could affect the animal habitat. "What is the rationale of allowing people in the core area in the guise of adventure tourism, when tribal people are being rehabilitated outside the forests?'' he asks.

He says that as a meagre entry fee is collected, people other than naturalists will enter the park. The trekking programme will lead to the violation of some provisions of Wildlife (Protection) Act, he adds.

The Deputy Conservator of Forests, D. Yathish Kumar, says discipline will be maintained during the trekking programme. Each group will be accompanied by a naturalist who will have knowledge about the flora and fauna of the region, he adds.

Conservation efforts, he points out, cannot be improved without the participation of the public, which can be brought about only when the forests and its resources are appreciated. Allowing the public to enter forests and appreciate them will help the conservation efforts, he says. Besides bringing revenue to the department, the trekking programme will also help provide employment to tribal people, according to him.

Regarding the use of anti-poaching camps for providing accommodation to trekkers, Mr. Kumar says this will be only in the initial days, and alternative camping sites will be identified later.

On the safety concerns expressed by environmentalists, he says that the probability of encountering elephants and other wild animals are limited as animal paths have been avoided and trekkers will be taken on the clearly demarcated routes.

Tribal people, who will serve as guides to groups, will have knowledge of the movement of animals, he adds.

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