In the wake of the death of a 10-year-old boy in a leopard attack in the Nagamale forest area of Chamarajanagar district, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has instructed authorities to temporarily close all wildlife trekking trails and nature trails.
Keeping public safety and the safety of trekkers in mind, directions have been issued to immediately suspend trekking and trail activities in areas frequented by leopards, tigers, elephants, bears and other wild animals, especially in regions where incidents of human-wildlife conflict have been reported. An official circular has been issued in this regard.
Minister Khandre has instructed officials to ensure that trekking activities are conducted in a safe and responsible manner. Authorities have also been directed to strictly follow the recently released Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to trekking and eco-tourism activities.
The circular further states that trekking activities should be stopped on trails where adequate preparations have not been made to comply with the SOP guidelines.
In trekking routes functioning under the supervision of the Karnataka Forest Department and the Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board, activities may continue only after ensuring full compliance with the prescribed safety measures. In this regard, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden have issued two separate official circulars.
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