Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala

Karkala, May 31: Trekking to Kudremukh, Gangadikal, Netravati, and Kurinjal hills will be permitted from June 1, with the forest department formally opening the routes under regulated conditions, officials have said.

The department has made online booking through the ‘Aranya Vihara’ portal compulsory for all trekkers, with activities to be strictly governed under the government’s new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), said Kudremukh wildlife division DCF Shivaram Babu.

He further stated that other major trekking destinations in the region will be opened only after June 15, in a phased manner.

To enhance safety and preparedness, 300 trained local guides have been deployed across trekking routes. They have been equipped with walkie-talkies, first-aid kits, and essential safety gear to respond to emergencies.

Officials added that signboards have been installed along the trails to prevent trekkers from losing their way, while handbooks containing route details and safety instructions have also been distributed as part of the preparedness measures.