Karnataka to draft national model SOP for trekking safety after Kerala techie incident

Karnataka’s Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has directed officials to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) for trekking safety that could serve as a national model to safeguard adventurers in forested hills and trekking zones. The instruction was issued in writing to the chief wildlife warden following recent high-profile incidents of missing trekkers in the state.

The move comes after a Kerala techie went missing in Karnataka’s Tadiandamol forest in Kodagu district , spending several days alone in dense forest before being rescued, and the ongoing search for a minor girl near Manikyadhara Falls in the Chandradrona hills of Chikkamagaluru district, prompting deployment of drones, forest personnel, and disaster teams.

“ Safety of trekkers is of paramount importance ,” Khandre said, directing officials to develop a mobile tracking app, similar to the ‘e-Gastu’ and ‘MStripes’ apps (used by the Karnataka Forest Department for forest patrol monitoring and by authorities in tiger reserves to track wildlife movement and patrol routes), to temporarily monitor trekkers during their journey. He also emphasized providing group insurance and equipping nature guides with wireless communication sets, holding them accountable for the coordination and safety of trekking groups under their supervision.

Officials have temporarily closed the Tadiandamol trekking trail to implement enhanced safety measures, including proper trail markings, directional signage, and emergency infrastructure . Experts and trekking groups have highlighted the need for guidelines on equipment, communication devices, emergency shelters, and rescue coordination to prevent future incidents.

Khandre’s initiative aims to unify technology, guide preparedness, and administrative response into a comprehensive national standard for trekking safety , addressing the rising concerns following recent incidents in the Western Ghats .