Karnataka is an ecotourism paradise.The state has spectacular hills,
gorgeous, cascading waterfalls, and abundant greenery.
What’s there not to like?Nestled in the Western Ghats, Karnataka’s peaks
and valleys are slowly being discovered by trekking and nature lovers.
Now, we believe there is something even more exciting coming up.
Does a 270-km walk excite you?Deep through the verdant forests?
Karnataka Tourism is working on a proposed forest canopy walk
that will take trekking through some of the state’s deepest forests.
Called the Great Canara Trails,
the trek will take approximately 25 days to complete.
It will start from the picturesque Jog Falls
and end in Castle Rock near the border to Goa.
The Great Canara Trails is proposed to pass through Katlekan –
Garuda Jog – Unchalli, Devimane Ghat – Shivaganga Falls – Ganesh Falls – Bedti
River Valley – Lalguli – Kali River – Shivapura
in Anshi – Ulavi – Kumbarawada – Kuveshi – Diggi.
There would be 17 camps throughout the trek,
some 10 of which would be linked to existing Eco-Trails’ camps.
Canopy trails usually start from higher altitudes,
and the Karnataka government’s plan is to control unregulated trekking
from novices to tour operators to adventure tour organizers.
Sathodi Falls
The canopy walk will have a nature guide for every 10 people
and there would be restrictions on wandering independently.
Fair enough,there have been a few incidents of trekkers
who lost their way in the dense jungles.
Often, unregulated treks have serious consequences on the natural habitat.
Carelessness can trigger forest fires during summer,
and littering is all too common.
The obvious parallel behind the Great Canara Trails is the Himalayan trails.
The Western Ghats through which the trail passes
is one of the most sensitive biodiversity spots in the world.
Traversing through it would be any trekker’s dream.
What we do hope for is that the Great Canara Trails
would not disturb the existing balance of the ecosystem.
Unmitigated tourism, as in the case of Laos’ Vang Vieng,
can have a dangerous impact on the environment.
Till then, keep your trekking boots ready,
the leech socks on hand, and the backpack packed.
Because once completed,
this does promise to be the adventure of a lifetime.
