Illegal trekking, ‘hidden spot’ tourism raise alarm in Karnataka's Western Ghats
Locals fear that the sudden influx of tourists in ecologically fragile areas could cause irreversible damage to forests, water sources, and wildlife habitats
Residents and environmentalists in Karnataka’s Western Ghats districts of Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru have expressed alarm over the surge in illegal trekking and "hidden spot" tourism. Private tour operators and travel agencies are promoting lesser-known hills, waterfalls, and nature sites on social media without obtaining necessary permissions from the Forest Department. The rapid influx of tourists is causing environmental damage, including plastic waste pollution and disruption to wildlife habitats.
In Kodagu, the Forest Department has recently intensified enforcement against unauthorized commercial trekking activities in sensitive forest zones. Social media has been used to lure tourists to spots like Perur village near Napoklu, where the Neelakurinji shrub blooms, prompting unregulated trekking expeditions. Residents fear irreversible harm to forests, water sources, and wildlife habitats, should such practices continue unchecked.
Similarly, in Chikkamagaluru, locals and environmentalists have called on authorities to ban private groups from organizing adventure sports or trekking activities in forest areas without proper permits. Unregulated off-road activities in the Kalasa and Koppa regions have already put strain on protected ecosystems, prompting the Forest Department to intervene.
Environmentalists warn that such activities pose significant risks to the fragile Malnad ecosystem, urging authorities to curb unregulated commercial exploitation of natural resources.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
