Jogimatti Hill Station Entry Banned for Wildfire Risk

Access to Jogimatti hill station in Chitradurga district is temporarily restricted for one month until the end of February. The forest department has imposed a ban on public and tourist entry, citing the significant risk of wildfires during the summer season. This precautionary measure is a response to the high probability of fires in the scrub forest environment as summer begins.Officials have stated that only senior government officials, elected representatives, and judges will be granted access during this period.

Last summer, wildfires caused extensive damage to the Jogimatti Wildlife Sanctuary, prompting early access restrictions. The forest department is taking steps to prevent similar incidents, which have sometimes been linked to the negligence of visitors. Public access is anticipated to be restored in March, coinciding with the arrival of the monsoon rains, which encourage new vegetation growth.

Jogimatti Wildlife Sanctuary, often called the Ooty of Karnataka, spans 10,000 hectares at an elevation of 3,803 feet. It features attractions like the Adumalleshwara Mini Zoo and Himavat Kedara waterfalls. The sanctuary is home to diverse wildlife, including deer, bears, and leopards, and is known as one of Asia's windiest places.