SOP implemented in four trekking trails in Kudremukh Wildlife Division in Karnataka

After Karnataka’s Forest Department introduced Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for trekking in forest areas, Kudremukh Wildlife Division is the first to implement the SOP in four of eight trails where trekking has resumed.

The division, headquartered in Karkala in Udupi district, comprises three protected areas — Kudremukh National Park, Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, and Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary — spread across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts. The department has re-opened trekking in eight of the total 16 trails — Netravati, Kudremukh, Kurinjal, Gangadikal, Kodachadri (two trails), and Narasimha Parvatha (two trails) trails.

Of the eight, the SOP has been implemented in the first four trails, Conservator of Forests, Mangaluru division, V. Karikalan told The Hindu. The then Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology B. Eshwar Khandre had released the SOP on April 17 after a trekker from Kerala went missing in Tadiandamol forest in Kodagu district.

The Conservator said the Do’s and Don’ts listed in the SOP are primarily aimed at ensuring the safety of trekkers even as they focus on conserving the fragile ecosystem in the trails through which the trekkers move.

The SOPs include mandatory online registration, mandatory guides for every 10 trekkers, trekkers to install mobile app with details of trekking route maps, separate toilet facilities for men and women, and drinking water facilities at base camps, signboards and arrow markings along the trail to guide trekkers, resting points along the trail, prohibition on using flash photography, single-use plastic.

One guide for 10 trekkers

Guides are provided with GPS-enabled walkie-talkies, first aid kits, topographic map of the trail, and a compass, GPS device or GPS-enabled smartphone with offline trail maps, personal whistle for emergency signalling, torch or headlamp with spare batteries, laminated emergency contact list.

A guide should conduct pre-trek briefing about route, safety rules, perform roll call and head count at the base camp and all rest points, and on their return, maintain walkie-talkie communication with the base camp at least every 30 minutes, never permit trekkers to leave the designated trail.