Karnataka Treks: New Rules for Safer Trails

Karnataka's forest department has introduced new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for trekking in forest areas, aiming to enhance safety and organization. These regulations follow recent incidents where trekkers went missing. The updated guidelines mandate that all trekking activities on notified forest trails require a certified nature guide and prior online registration with official permits.

To manage crowd and improve safety, a daily limit of 150 trekkers per trail will be enforced. Each group must maintain a guide-to-trekker ratio of 1:10. Guides are responsible for keeping groups together. Trekkers will also need to install a temporary tracking application on their mobile phones for real-time monitoring by forest officials. Guides will carry GPS-enabled walkie-talkies for communication with base camps.

The new SOP includes a clear emergency response plan. In case of injury or a missing trekker, the guide must immediately inform the base camp. Rescue operations will be coordinated with authorities. Approved routes will feature visible markings, and dangerous stretches will be clearly highlighted. Base camps will provide essential amenities like drinking water and toilets to ensure a more secure and responsible travel experience in ecologically sensitive zones.