Naxalites fail to keep off trekkers

MANGALORE: The Naxalite activity in the Western Ghats range which spreads across three districts — Chikmagalur, Dakshina Kannada and Shimoga — has not scared off any avid trekkers. The numbers available with the Kudremukh range forest department show that there is regular trekking activity, which only sees numbers drop during monsoon. As per the statistics, the Basrikallu Gate entry point has recorded 953 visitors from August 2011 till August this year.While the December and March months see maximum number of trekkers entering the Kudremukh area, the numbers go down drastically during monsoon months of July to September.The range has recorded a maximum of 181 visitors in March this year, followed by 173 in December last year.The favourite hot spots of trekkers include Kudremukh peak, Gangadikal peak and Kurinjal peak, which are about 19-32 km from the Basrikallu Gate. The forest department guides accompany teams during the trek. The entry fee to the Kudremukh National Park area is Rs 200 and the trekking fee is Rs 75.
The department sets a time limit to trekkers to return by 6pm from the park area.Anti Naxal Force Inspector General of Police Alok Kumar told The Times of India that trekking activity had not seen any dip due to Naxalite activity being reported in the Western Ghats region. “When government officials visit Naxalite-affected areas, we have to be circumspect, otherwise there is no problem,” he said. Karkala range deputy conservator of forests Prakash Natelkar concurred with Alok saying that trekking had not been affected by Naxalite activity in the region.