BENGALURU: Once again, the pristine Hanumangundi Falls, under Kerekatte range of Kudremukh National Park, is witnessing heavy tourist flow which is proving to be detrimental to the wildlife.
Though tourism was banned inside this Protected Area (PA) in October 2013, Hanumangundi Falls was reopened to tourists last year with certain restrictions.
Local wildlife activists say most of the conditions imposed while reopening the area for tourists are being violated while forest department officials remain mute spectators.
“Although swimming is prohibited, it continues with gay abandon. Youngsters who come from Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities, party from morning till evening, littering the ecologically sensitive location with food and plastic waste and disturbing the wildlife. Some youngsters even try to feed wild animals without thinking about the consequences. Animals which come in search of water are being disturbed by the shrill cries and sounds of tourists in the protected area,” they added.
Tourism in any form was stopped in the area following a petition filed by D V Girish, wildlife conservationist from Chikkamagaluru. Accepting his findings, the then PCCF (Wildlife) G S Prabhu had said the area is the habitat of lion-tailed macaque.
“The area is covered with litter left behind by tourists. The forest department and Wildlife Wing is at the service of wildlife. Our scarce staff, who are usually deployed to ensure safety of wildlife, are now regulating tourists. Any activity which is inimical to the safety of wildlife should be stopped,” Prabhu added. Decrying the reopening of the area for public, Girish said, “We must stop treating these pristine spots as entertainment parks and wildlife are not toys for us to play with... I condemn the callous way of treating this PA with utter disregard to nature and wildlife. It is unfortunate that people who are duty-bound to protect the PAs are facilitating such activities and have become mute spectators. The attitude of the authorities shows clear lack of vision and commitment to security of water and wildlife.”
Won’t Tolerate Violations, Says PCCF
PCCF (Wildlife) Vinay Luthra told Express, “If there is any sort of violation happening, I will certainly close entry of tourists ... We had set up an Eco-tourism committee comprising local people to manage and secure the place as well as to prevent any illegal activities. But if this is not happening, I will certainly look into the matter.”
