BENGALURU: One of the most ambitious eco-tourism projects in the Western Ghats that has invited the wrath of environmentalists — the Great Canara Trail — will be allowed only in the buffer zones, but not inside core areas of Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR) and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS).In the wake of continuing opposition to the project, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had sought a factual status report on The Great Canara Trail passing through two important protected areas.
In his factual status report filed to NTCA, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) (Wildlife) states that the whole project is planned as a walking activity through the buffer zones of KTR and the DWS. Further, neither trekking paths nor any infrastructure has been created for this eco-tourism activity.
The report says there will not be any walking in the trails situated inside the core or critical zones of tiger reserves. Trekkers will be taken in jeeps on the patch of public road and then allowed to walk in the trails situated outside these zones. Further, it has urged the KTR Director to involve local residents while executing the project and operating the trail.
As per the revised NTCA guidelines, only low-impact tourism (visitation) shall be allowed in core or critical zones of tiger reserves with specific carrying capacity in each site and without building any new tourism infrastructure. So, it was analysed that the local community’s dependence on resources in core/critical tiger habitats shall be reduced by benefiting them through eco-tourism activities in buffer zones, says the report.
However, biodiversity experts and wildlife activists say comprehensive guidelines issued by NTCA in 2012 clearly state that any new tourism activity either in buffer or core areas should be mentioned in the Tiger Conservation Plan and must be approved by NTCA.
“NTCA has already said that the Great Canara Trail is not approved under the Tiger Conservation Plan. Also, the wildlife in Kali is already under grave threat due to habitat fragmentation. Even the prey-predator density is low which has been confirmed by NTCA. So, in such a situation, why does the forest department want to organise trekking trails?” ask experts.
“KTR has many spots like Syntheri Rocks, Kavala Caves which are open to tourists and also regular treks are arranged by the forest department to Kadra View Point and other places around Kulgi Nature camp. These are already approved by NTCA. So why this eco-disaster of a Trail?” they ask.
Meanwhile, an ‘Eco Tourism Impact Study’ has been suggested under the leadership of Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) (Project Elephant) through the Karnataka Eco-tourism Development Board. However, the CCF told Express that the study is yet to take off as it has to be approved and funded by the Board.
Restrictions in Trail
Not to have any new encumbrances on forest land
Not to have any walking trails in core/critical zones
Trekkers should be taken in jeeps in such areas
Build mud clay platforms for pitching tents in trail route
Placing temporary toilets for camping outside
Elicit locals’ help for pitching tents/toilets on their land
Make provision for home stay for trekkers
Proposed trail map
As per the Great Canara Trail map, the trek starts at Siddeshwara Temple (Vailawada), Buffer Area in Kumbarwada Wildlife Range, KTR, and passes through Panasagali, Tadaki, Castlerock nature education camp and ends at Kuveshi of Castlerock Wildlife Range of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuar