Western Ghats Tremble: Unchecked Tourism Threatens Fragile Ecosystems

Ecotourism in India's Western Ghats faces growing scrutiny as private groups promote unregulated trekking to remote natural sites. Residents in Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts express grave concerns about the potential for irreversible ecological damage. The influx of tourists, often organized via social media promotions, is reportedly leaving behind significant plastic waste and polluting vital water sources. Local communities fear for the safety of their drinking water and the surrounding forest habitats.

The Forest Department has recently escalated enforcement actions, targeting unauthorized commercial trekking in sensitive zones. This intensified response follows social media circulation of trekking activities near blooming Neelakurinji shrubs, highlighting the promotion of mass trekking in fragile areas. Officials have been instructed to identify and penalize tour operators and private groups violating regulations, emphasizing that forest areas are not playgrounds for commercial events, especially when they risk disturbing wildlife and ecological balance.