Incessant rain pounding Malnad and coastal Karnataka regions has revived almost all the waterfalls, and the forest and tourism departments have banned entry of tourists to most of these places, especially in Shivamogga district, as these cascades are situated deep inside the forests.
The recent incident of a family drowning in Lonavala in Maharashtra and several tourists getting washed away in waterfalls in Karnataka over the last few years too have made the forest department to decide on banning visitors to these waterfalls.
At most of these spots, there is no proper supervision either by the police or forest department authorities and this could lead to tragedies, the authorities have warned.
Shivamogga district has Dabbe waterfalls near Hosagadde in Sagar taluk, Hidlumane, Barkana and Onake Abbey in Agumbe, Kunchikal falls in Nidigodu village of Agumbe and Jogi Gundi falls.
“Our tourist mitra or security personnel are deployed only at identified tourist spots. We don’t have dedicated staff at waterfalls that come alive only during the rainy season,” said T Dharmappa, Assistant Director, Tourism Department.
Some waterfalls in Shivamogga district come under the Mookambika forest range, while some others in Agumbe.
Sivaram Babu, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Kudremukh Wildlife Division, Karkala, issued an order on July 1, barring the entry of tourists to waterfalls and other tourist places inside forests temporarily in view of heavy rain.
“There is now a high chance of a large number of tourists visiting waterfalls. As a precautionary measure, we have barred the entry of visitors to Bandaje waterfalls in Belthangady, Arasinagundi, Kudlu, Barkala, Hidlumane, Vanakabbi waterfalls in Kudremukh, Someshwar, Agumbe, Siddapura, Kollur Kerekatte and Karkala wildlife sub-divisions and forest ranges,” he said.
The department has also restricted the entry of tourists to Narasimhagada-Gadaikallu, which is a historic place at Belthangady. “We have put up warning boards barring the entry of tourists at these places,” he said.
Kudlu Theertha in Hebri taluk, Hidlumane in Kollur and Belkal Theertha, which is near Kollur, are the three major waterfalls in Mangaluru district and the entry has been banned to these, and other smaller waterfalls too, he added.
DFO Shivaram Babu said the ban will be in effect till the rain recedes in the Western Ghats. “These waterfalls could be dangerous when it is raining heavily. Tourists should not venture into these areas and try any misadventure,” he cautioned.
In Chikkamagaluru district, too, many prominent waterfalls are roaring again. Hebbe, Kallatti Cascade, Manikyadhra, Shanthi, Kudre Abbey near Khandaya, Sirimane near Kigga in Sringeri taluk, Shankar near Aldur and Hanumana Gundi in Kudremukh region are some of the prominent waterfalls that are now flowing in full glory.
Tourism Department officials told TNIE that as most of these waterfalls are on the roadside, there is no need to panic and tourists can enjoy their beauty with enough safety.
DFO Ramesh Babu said forest watchers have been appointed on the Charmady Ghat road to prevent youngsters from indulging in dangerous activities. Over the last few years, the selfie craze has claimed some lives, he pointed out.
Trekking to Ettian Bhuja and Mullayyanagiri too has been banned by the administration. “After the Lonavala incident, we are on high alert, but have not imposed any restrictions as most of the waterfalls are on the roadside,” he added.
On Jog Falls, Dharmappa said, “It is a well-developed tourist spot. There is always a vigil kept by the police and tourism department staff. CCTV cameras too have been installed to avoid any untoward incidents. But tourists are advised not to go on any adventurous activities. Visit the falls and enjoy its beauty, but don’t risk your precious life.”
INPUTS FROM:
Ramachandra V Gunari, Shivamogga; Prakash Samaga, Udupi; Divya Cutinho, Mangaluru &B Thipperudrappa, Chikkamagaluru