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Forest Dwellers Now Guides: Karnataka's Green Revolution
3 Aug
Summary
- Indigenous community members become certified nature guides.
- New policy created steady income and central visitor roles.
- Over 350 local residents employed as certified guides.
For generations, the Malekudiya people possessed deep knowledge of Karnataka's Western Ghats, yet economic security remained elusive. This has changed with the forest department's new trekking policy, which certifies indigenous community members as nature guides.
More than 60 Malekudiya individuals now guide trekkers on the Nethravathi Peak trail alone, with others employed on different routes. This policy has created over 350 jobs for local residents as certified trek guides across various forest regions.
Since April 2026, certified guides are mandatory for all approved trekking routes, with visitor limits and online bookings. This has opened significant employment opportunities for communities living within forest areas.
Manjunath Malekudiya, a 50-year-old guide, now earns between ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 monthly, a stark contrast to his previous daily wage labor. Younger members like Ashok Malekudiya, 24, also find a secure livelihood in guiding, choosing to stay in their ancestral lands.
Before certification, guides underwent training in personality development, visitor interaction, and emergency response. This initiative values generational forest knowledge, providing sustainable income and enriching visitor experiences.
