Doubts have emerged surrounding the account of a Kerala-based trekker, Sharanya, who recently claimed that she got lost while trekking in the forests of Kodagu at Tadiandamol Hills, prompting a successful search and rescue operation.
Authorities and local sources have pointed to inconsistencies in her version of events. According to forest officials, the area where Sharanya reportedly went missing is part of a regulated zone where entry is either restricted or requires prior permission. Initial inquiries suggest that no official trekking permit had been issued in her name, raising questions about how she accessed the location.
Local Kudiya community members who were part of the rescue team and know the forests very well, have raised doubts, stating that the area is heavily infested with leeches and that trekkers commonly suffer multiple bites. However, they noted that when Sharanya was found, there were no visible leech bites on her.
They also questioned her overall demeanour. “When we found her, she did not appear like someone who had been lost in the forest for four days. She was in a jovial mood and was strong enough to walk faster than us,” said a member of the rescue team.
Local residents familiar with the terrain also expressed skepticism, stating that the route described by Sharanya is relatively well-marked and frequently used by estate workers and trekkers, making it difficult to get disoriented without straying significantly off the path. Allegations of faking the incident to gain publicity have been made against Sharanya.
Forest Department and Police have initiated an investigation to find out if the allegations are true.
What has politics to do with it ?
Locals have also expressed perplexity that what began as a search and rescue effort has now turned into a political spectacle between the ruling Congress and its rival, the BJP.
While the Congress has projected the rescue as a significant achievement, the BJP has sought to downplay the incident, with some leaders even terming it as a political stunt.
“It is comical to see a rescue operation being politicised in this manner,” said a local planter Cariappa, who spoke to us.
How does it matter what her motives were, (although I believe her version). Our doubting toms nowadays want to create a controversy about anything and everything. Too much of free time and a conspiracy-laden mindset devoid of anything meaningful?
Nothing strange in survival in a jungle for 4 days.
One German lady named Julian koepcke who fell into Amazon dense forest in a air crash survived for 11 days in 1971.
In another case a plane crash landed in a jungle in 2023 four children aged between 23 years and 11 months(baby)
survived for 7 days.
In a cool weather of the jungle it is not impossible.
Why must everything in this country be politicised? The involvement of the parties in turning this incident into a narrative battle is both disappointing and disturbing. This is not a campaign slogan. And not a moment to score points to settle scores. It is a collective effort of ground staff, forest officials, police personnel and countless unnamed local individuals who worked tirelessly.
As Our eminent actor says in his serial *कुछ भी हो सकता है*. But it’s sad that someone is using nature as stunt practise to gain few humanoid clicks. If she was a good trekker who don’t need publicity stunt. There happy customers speak for them.