Hello Steemers, as you can tell from my various posts about Trekking trails that I have a keen interest in Trekking and also exploring new places. While talking to one of my friends, he told me about a Gov initiative called "Eco-trails".
ECO TRAILS
Eco-Trails is a part of a wider plan taken up by the Karnataka Forest Department which includes Wildlife safari, Bird Sanctuary visits and Jungle stay resorts & hotels. In certain popular trekking trails (which I will mention later) there will be local guides who will guide you through the trek and also will explain about the different flora & fauna. Most importantly they'll also talk about Waste Management which is what pissed me off while trekking through most of the places.
PROCESS
You'd have to login to the website (https://myecotrip.com/) > Goto Eco trails (https://myecotrip.com/landscapes) and pay Rs 450/per trekker ( will be higher or lower depending on the trail). This amount will get you permission to trek the trail and also guides who are also trained in rescue operations.
PLACES WHICH WILL COME UNDER ECO TRAILS
Currently it has 7 trails with new ones being added.
- Skandagiri
- Avalabetta
- Savanadurga
- Bidarakatte
- Makalidurga
- Siddarabetta
- Devarayanadurga
MY THOUGHTS
Although cleaning up Trails and maintaining them are important, Rs 450 is simply too much money for a small trek like Savandurga. In small trails, the chances of getting lost are slim. The Forest Department are providing something called a Green Passport, where one can trek a trail and get a stamp from the forest department once it has been completed. You'll get "Loyalty Points" for further treks. Personally, i think there will be 2 things that will change.
a) The number of people going for treks will reduce gradually checking the amount they have to pay.
b) People going out and exploring new trails checking the fee.
I hope they clean the trails and not just rip us off.
FURTHER READING