GREEN MINUTE NEWS:
A two-day and one-night Independence Day group trips planned on August 15–16 covering jeep safaris, Mullayanagiri peak trek, Jhari waterfalls, Hirekolale lake and also individual explorations of rugged terrains of Kyathanamakki off-road trails have landed in big ecological controversy.
The Karnataka govt will initiate action against such off-road adventures whether group events or individual trails in the event of ecological damage to the fragile ecosystem of Kudremukh and Chikkamagaluru hill ranges in Karnataka, India that forms part of the central Western Ghats.
The organisers of this group getaways or individual trails by adventure organizations as part of Independence Day celebrations are charging ₹5,000-6000 from Bengaluru or ₹7,000-8000 from Chennai. However, Karnataka govt has said action will be taken against the organisers if the pristine water sources in the Western Ghat hills ranges of Chikkamagaluru district is polluted or rural roads are damaged or disturbed.
On August 12, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Eshwar Khandre has directed strict action against adventure organization in Bengaluru which organizes off-road adventures in Kudremukh and Mullayanagiri hills on August 15-16, if water sources are polluted and rural roads are damaged due to this events of adventure and excitement.
As part of Independence Day celebrations, organized group getaways are being held this weekend for exploring the mountainous terrain and waterfalls of Chikkamagaluru district during the monsoons when forest streams are filling up in the undulating forest terrain and joining various river tributaries.
Local residents complain of habitat destruction, unbearable crowds, traffic congestion, enormous dumping of food and plastic waste on the Mullayanagiri trekking trail. And if this group getaway is allowed on August 15-16, there will be irreparable damage to the habitat and much disturbance to mud pathways, water sources, wildlife and local people.
Activists based in the district are very upset and said how could such getaways could be held in the rugged forest terrains of Kyathanamakki and Jhari Waterfalls. After every weekend trips and trails, local residents and activist groups are left to clean up the muck left by young adventure groups from Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities.
They add, “As it is, on the weekends, various trekking trails are crowded in various spots of the Mullayanagiri hill ranges and now when it is raining and foggy – how could such dangerous and ecologically destructive trails be organized without giving a thought to the fragile terrains of the central Western Ghats in Chikkamagaluru district.
Having given a written instruction in this regard to the Chief Executive Officer of Chikkamagaluru District Panchayat, RDPR Minister Khandre said, “An organization in Bengaluru has advertised that it is conducting an off-road adventure in Kudremukh, Chikkamagaluru district on Aug. 15 and 16, claiming that there is an opportunity to cross rivers, travel on dirt roads, and climb and descend hills on this off-road adventure. I have instructed district officials to take action so that the mud roads are not damaged due to this.”
Referring to Article 51A(g) of the Indian Constitution, “I, as a citizen of India, will protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife. I will have compassion for living beings as per the wishes of the Constitution of India,” Khandre said that protecting rivers and the environment is everyone’s responsibility.”
The vehicles used in this adventure are fitted with modified thick tires and the vehicles travel very fast on rain-soaked roads, which will not only damage rural roads, but also erode the surface layer on the hills and mountains, which gets washed away when it rains, and the silt in water sources such as lakes, dams, lakes etc reduces the water storage capacity.
Off-road trails also cause noise pollution, air pollution and also lead to the death of many living beings. In this regard, no adventurer should travel in water sources such as rivers, streams and canals that supply drinking water and pollute the water, and rural roads should be kept clean.
RDPR Minister Eshwar Khandre has instructed the Chikkamagaluru Zilla Panchayat CEO to take steps to prevent damage and to take strict legal action as per rules if any road is damaged or any water sources are polluted.
Apart from the fragile ecosystem of Mullayanagiri hill ranges which witnesses heavy crowds during the monsoon season, Kyathanamakki Hills (Gaali Gudda or Wind Hill) too has become a destination for off road adventures from Bengaluru and other cities of India. Kyathanamakki is a scenic hilltop viewpoint near Horanadu and Kalasa. Situated at 5,000 feet, it offers 360-degree panoramic views of the Kudremukh hill ranges.
Kyathanamakki is a pristine Western Ghats ranges with dense tropical forests, shola grasslands, and mist covered rolling meadows.
The hills are home to many meandering forest streams while major rivers like Tunga, Bhadra and Kalasa originate in the Kudremukh hill ranges. This is the habitat of many endemic and endangered species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and other flora and fauna. So, any action by the state govt is a welcome step, but such hikes and trails in the World’s Biodiversity Hotspot should be banned to protect its habitat and hydrology, activists say.
(PHOTO CREDIT: ALL IMAGES REPRESENTATIVE FROM ADVENTURE SOURCES, IMAGES 5 & 8 OF KUDREMUKH HILL RANGES FROM G VEERESH)