KARWAR: India’s first canopy walk is all set to open for tourists by mid-November. Though it was inaugurated in February, entry of tourists was banned because of monsoon. The Forest and Tourism departments had jointly constructed 240-metre canopy walkway 30 metres above ground level in the dense forests of Western Ghats at a cost of Rs 84 lakh. It is situated at Kuveshi in Castle Rock wildlife range.
Though the canopy walk project was mooted three years ago, it was delayed due to objections by conservationists. Later, it was cleared by the central authorities. On February 18, 2018, then industries minister R V Deshpande inaugurated the canopy walk, which is available only in a few countries in the world.
In April, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Forest Department and Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR) to operate the canopy walk. But due to the monsoon, the entry of tourists was banned in all the protected areas, including Castle Rock.
JLR, the operating agency, has fixed Rs 500 for adults and Rs 300 for children below 12 years as an entry fee.
“Due to operational issues and monsoon, tourist entry into canopy walk was restricted. Now, the department and the operating agencies are gearing up to open it for public. The department is making basic arrangements like road and drinking water. Within 15 days, toilets will be constructed,” said a forest official.
The Forest Department will rope in local drivers to ferry tourists from Castle Rock guest house to canopy walk.“Once the canopy walk is opened for public, the local people will get an opportunity to do business, including food and transport. The department will include them in the project, which will help them find livelihood,” an official said.
