The Karnataka Forest Department released the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for trekking trails in the State. The SOP has been drawn up after a trekker from Kerala went missing in Tadiandamol forest in Kodagu district earlier this month.
Releasing the SOP on April 17, Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre said trekking will not be permitted on any approved Forest Department trekking trail in Karnataka without a nature guide.
What trekkers need to know
- Online registration mandatory
- Local guide mandatory
- Trekkers to install mobile app with details of trekking route maps
- Trekkers will be briefed about distance, duration, and local conditions
- Trekkers will be instructed on how to respond if they encounter wildlife
- Separate toilet facilities for men and women at base camp
- Drinking water arrangement at base camp
- Signboards and arrow markings to guide trekkers along the route
- Resting points along the route
- Minors must have written consent from parents or guardians
- Senior citizens must provide a fitness certificate confirming their physical ability to undertake the trek
- Trekkers cannot use flash photography, single-use plastic, carry bags
- Trekkers must bring back their waste, and dispose it at the base camp
Online registration
“Online registration for trekking is mandatory. There will be one local nature guide for every 10 trekkers. Even if only one person registers for trekking on a given day, a guide will be provided. A maximum of 150 people per batch will be allowed on each trekking route,” Mr. Khandre said.
According to the SOP, all nature guides on trekking routes will be provided with GPS-enabled walkie-talkies. Besides, a mobile app with details of trekking route maps will be installed in every trekker’s phone, which will help locate trekkers if they get lost.
How having a guide helps
All nature guides will be provided with GPS-enabled walkie-talkies
Guides to communicate with base camp via walkie-talkie every 30 minutes
Guides must ensure that no trekker moves ahead of them or lags behind
Headcount to be conducted at base camp, and rest points
If no communication from guide within one hour of starting the trek, base camp staff will have to contact them to confirm the safety of trekkers
Guides must carry a first-aid kit to handle any health emergency
Before commencing a trail, trekkers will be briefed about the distance, duration, and local conditions. They will also be instructed on how to respond if they encounter wildlife.
Use of loud devices, carrying sharp metal objects or weapons, and lighting campfires will not be permitted on trekking routes. Separate toilet facilities for men and women, and drinking water arrangements will be provided at the base camp. Signboards and arrow markings will guide trekkers along the route. Resting points will be created along the way.
None to lag behind
The SOP lists that the guides must ensure that no trekker moves ahead of them or lags behind. Headcount must be conducted at base camp and rest points. Guides have been instructed to communicate with the base camp via walkie-talkie every 30 minutes.
If there is no communication from the guide within one hour of starting the trek, base camp staff will have to contact them to confirm the safety of the trekkers.
On minors
Minors must have written consent from parents or guardians to participate in trekking. Senior citizens must provide a fitness certificate confirming their physical ability to undertake the trek.
“Guides must carry a first-aid kit to handle any health emergency among trekkers. Use of flash photography, single-use plastic, and carry bags is prohibited. Trekkers must bring back their waste, and dispose it at the base camp,” according to the SOP.