Trekking along Kumara Parvatha has been banned

Team Udayavani, Feb 7, 2019, 6:36 AM IST

• A precautionary action for the protection of the nature and wildlife

Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is one amongst the 21 wildlife sanctuary in India and is located within the limits of Somvarpet in Kodagu. It is spread across an area of 102 sq km.

Subrahmanya: The wildlife department has banned the entry of public into the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary surrounded by the Western Ghats. There is also no opportunity for trekking along the Kumara Parvatha Mountain.

The mountain which is covered by greenery on one hand and grass on the other gives a spectacular view from its summit and hence scores of trekking enthusiasts trek to the summit of the mountain to cherish the nature’s beauty from its summit. Daily there are 25 to 30 teams that trek here. Other than the monsoon season, trekkers are seen here during the other times of the year, though the activity is at its peak in between the months of October and February.

Action for the protection of wildlife

The forest department has banned trekking here since the forest and the grass has dried up completely and during this period, entry of the people and their activities can cause a forest fire and cause harm to both wildlife as well as the trekkers.

Strict action if violated

Signboards have been erected informing the ban on entry into the wildlife sanctuary. Warning also has been provided stating that strict action will be initiated against those violating the order under the wildlife conservation act.

Border of 3 districts

Kumara Parvatha lies on the borders of DK and Kodagu district. The mountain is located at an altitude of 5.165 feet. For trekking, the mountain can be approached from Kodagu, DK and Hassan districts.

The trek begins from backside of Kukke Subrahmanya temple and the distance to be covered till the summit from here is 12 kms.

A lesson from Kodagu incident

Pushpagiri Wildlife sanctuary is situated between Kodagu and DK districts. The examples of natural disasters that have occurred in this region are well within memory. There is also a lot of drastic changes happening in the environment. This has an effect on the humans as well as the wildlife.

Ban until the start of monsoons

“Since it is the summers, there is a higher chance for causing forest fires. In this backdrop, the action has been taken as a precautionary measure. The order on the ban of entry to the public within the limits of the sanctuary has already been passed. The ban will remain in effect until the start of the monsoons,” said Jaya, Wildlife Officer, Madikeri