Karnataka - Bangalore   

Trekkers lose interest in infamous Veerappan trails

No takers: The picturesque Male Mahadeshwara Hills near Mysore which opened to trekkers two years ago.

BANGALORE: Nearly two years after the forests of Male Mahadeshwara Hills and adjoining areas, once haunted by the notorious forest brigand Veerappan, was thrown open for trekking, interest among the enthusiasts seems to have dwindled. Very few adventure-seekers have treaded these trails that lead to the dense jungles, prompting Forest Department officials to repackage them.

Called the Mystery Trails, these treks promised to unravel the myths surrounding the brigand, his hideouts, the escape routes, besides the enchanting forests that harboured him for nearly two decades. This ecotourism initiative was launched by the Forest Department at Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Biligiri Ranga Temple Sanctuary and the thick forests of Kollegal division, all coming under Chamarajnagar Circle, where the brigand once held sway.

“Due to lack of publicity people were not taking the trails, and very few trekked the routes last year,” Kollegal District Forest Officer Kumar Pushkar told The Hindu. “Initially, all these routes were popular. We are getting some response for the Bheemshwari and Chellur routes. Though the M.M. Hills-Naaga Male and Bedaguli-Jodigere stretch are very enchanting, we rarely get trekkers,” he added. While four trails in Kollegal division and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary have reported a sparse turnout, two routes in the BRT Sanctuary have succeeded in attracting trekkers. Of the six trails, Bedaguli-Jodigere-Bylore, M.M. Hills-Naaga Male and Yerekem Halla poses a tough challenge to trekkers while the trails to Chenni Halla-Bheemeshwari to Chellure Hill and Elephant camp to Muthathi have been graded as relatively easier routes.

To popularise these routes, Mr. Pushkar said that the Forest Department along with the Tourism Department is trying to develop eco-tourism infrastructure in the Kollegal area.

Among other efforts, the department plans to set up camp sites with tent facilities in Gopinatham, Hogenkal falls and Muthathi. He also said that infrastructure for the adventurers still needed to be improved and local guides require training. “Guides have to be trained to interact with the tourists and explain to them the significance of the area,” he added.

However, the response for the two trekking routes in the BRT Sanctuary has been restricted for serious nature lovers and those who come for researchpurposes.

Said BRT Sanctuary DCF R. Raju: “Nearly100 trekkers take the two trails in a week and the number goes up three to four times during the holiday season.”

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