BANGALORE – Access to certain popular mountain trails in Karnataka is now gated by online reservations, following recent directives from the Forest, Ecology, and Environment Ministry. Specifically, the challenging ascent to Kumara Parvatha has seen its upper reaches curtailed, with trekkers now permitted only up to Shesha Parvatha.
The ministry has instituted a 12-hour daily limit for treks to Shesha Parvatha, restricting access to the hours between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. This measure, according to Minister Eshwar B. Khandre, aims to ensure completion within daylight and incorporate safety protocols. The segment between Shesha Parvatha and Kumara Parvatha is described as steep and difficult, contributing to the restriction.
Digital Gatekeeping for the Wild
The introduction of the 'Aranya Vihaara' portal, <https://aranyavihaara.karnataka.gov.in>, mandates 'online ticket booking' for nearly all permitted trekking routes across districts like Kodagu and Chamarajanagar. This digital gateway is presented as a means to manage 'crowds' and safeguard what the department terms 'ecological balance'. Initially, five routes have been made available via this platform, including variations of the Kumara Parvatha trek, Talacauvery to Nishanemotte, and Nagamalai in MM Hills.
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"The forest department has allowed bookings for five popular routes… One person can book for 10 people at a time per day."
Numerical Walls
A daily cap of 300 trekkers has been implemented across these trails, though one report indicated a limit of 150 people for the Shesha Parvatha trek. This figure, which contrasts with another stating 335 for the Kumara Parvatha range, appears to be a fluid aspect of the new regulations. Online bookings are essential, with an unspecified number of people allowed per booking. Identity verification via government-issued IDs is also now a requirement during the booking process.
The policy change comes after an observed "significant influx of trekkers" reportedly created "chaos" during the previous season, particularly regarding overnight stays at Girigadde. The ministry's response appears to be a tightening of control, replacing spontaneous excursions with planned, digitally managed entries. Cancellations made within two days of the expedition are subject to no refund, while cancellations made seven days prior are eligible for a full refund.
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Geographical Context and Past Practices
The Kumara Parvatha trek, a challenging undertaking in Karnataka's Western Ghats, has historically allowed for overnight stays, enabling trekkers to witness both sunset and sunrise from the peak. The full trek, often covering 24 km round trip, typically required two days. Shesha Parvatha, approximately 2 km before the Kumara Parvatha summit, offers views of the latter and is situated within dense forest sections. The Kumara Theertha area, near the summit, is noted as the origin of the Kumaradhara River. The new restrictions effectively sever the path to the final summit for most day-trippers, rerouting them back from Shesha Parvatha.