Bengaluru, April 17 (NationPress) In response to the alarming incidents involving the tragic death of a female trekker in the Kumaradhara hills of Chikkamagaluru and the disappearance of another in the Madikeri forest, the Karnataka Forest Department has rolled out a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for trekkers. This SOP introduces a comprehensive set of safety protocols aimed at ensuring a safer trekking experience throughout the state’s forested regions.

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre highlighted that there are 44 officially recognized trekking sites within the state’s forest territories. These guidelines were developed after a recent case where a woman from Kerala went missing during her trek, only to be found safe after three days.

“Each trekker will have a trekking app installed to monitor their location. We will also equip all guides with walkie-talkies for effective communication and location identification. First aid kits will be readily available with the guides. These initiatives have been implemented to protect the trekkers,” he remarked.

Under the new SOP, mobile tracking for trekkers is now a requirement. Furthermore, groups consisting of more than ten individuals must be accompanied by a guide. The department has also set up enhanced monitoring systems to enforce compliance with safety regulations.

The Minister mentioned that some trekkers engage in dangerous behaviors, such as straying from their groups and trekking alone. Such actions will be closely scrutinized, and individuals who violate these guidelines will face bans on future trekking.

The guidelines also establish a mechanism for accountability, allowing guides to report trekkers through a specific mobile application. Unsafe or reckless conduct can be flagged via the app, enabling appropriate action by the authorities.

To ensure safety, the number of trekkers at any given time is capped at 150, with one guide required for every ten trekkers.

The Forest Minister emphasized that these measures are designed to bolster safety and prevent incidents in Karnataka's trekking zones.

“We have collaborated with officers, experts, and stakeholders to finalize these mandatory SOPs,” stated Minister Eshwar Khandre.

In a related incident, a 15-year-old girl from Palakkad, Kerala, who had gone missing near Manikyadhara Falls in Chikkamagaluru, was found deceased on April 10, leaving her family in deep sorrow. The body of Sreenanda was discovered approximately 2,000 feet below a viewing tower, identified first by a drone camera, followed by a search team.

Additionally, a 36-year-old IT professional from Kozhikode, Kerala, went missing while trekking in the Tadiandamol hills of Madikeri. She survived for four days by remaining close to a stream and was subsequently located.