Forest officials in Karnataka have confirmed that all guest houses will remain closed till monsoon. This means one cannot book guest houses at least till mid-April.
This move was made as a precautionary measure to prevent forest fires. All forest divisions are instructed to curtail the number of tourists or completely close down the bookings, so that the staff can focus more on controlling forest fires. Plans are also in the pipeline to hire additional staff.
This is done based on past experience, where fire was caused due to negligence on the part of tourists.
Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) BK Singh said, “I have issued orders to close down guest houses until monsoon. This is to ensure there is no forest fire.”
Citing the example of Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve, he said that a proposal has been sent to the sanctuary to close down their guest houses for some time, so that they can use their staff to patrol and control fires, instead of catering to guests.
“BRT has agreed to this. Similar orders have been issued to all divisions. Now it is up to them to close or continue operations,” he added.
A minimum of 100 locals in each division are being hired for controlling and patrolling fire. Moreover, additional staff will be deployed for patrolling the roads. Experts and conservationists have welcomed this move.
Assistant director (conservation science and policy), Wildlife Conservation Society, India Programme, Sanjay Gubbi said, “The department is already short-staffed, and reduction in the number of tourists will be a breather. Tourists should be educated about forest fires. Apart from keeping vigil and imposing fines, legal action should be taken, under the Wildlife Protection Act.”
D Rajkumar, an environmentalist, said that the department should keep a vigil on religious institutions that are located in proximity to the forests, as the influx of tourists makes these areas more vulnerable.
This is true of Mahadeshwara temple and Beladuppa temple in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, where tourists and devotees flock in February during the festive season.
He also pointed out that forests are vulnerable till mid-April as it is dry and hot, and the grasses susceptible to fire.
