Madikeri: Trekking at Tadiandamol, the highest peak in Kodagu, which was stopped by the forest department for safety reasons, is likely to be opened next week, said Madikeri DCF Abhishek.Following the temporary closure of trekking trails across Karnataka — triggered by a missing trekker on Tadiandamol Hill — the forest department and Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board (KEDB) have implemented a new standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure safety of visitors and manage ecotourism.A girl from Kerala went missing, and after four days in Tadiandamol hill last April.KEDB completed training for 92 local guides in Kushalnagar. Guides were trained in first aid, bird identification and local flora. They are equipped with walkie-talkies, first-aid kits and reflective suits.The SOP insists on one mandatory guide for every 10 trekkers. Each trekker pays a guide fee of Rs 100. A guide would get an honorarium of Rs 1,000 per trek group. Outside guides are currently excluded to prioritise local employment.However, there is a guide shortage in Kodagu for all the trekking points like Tadiandamol, Nishani hills, Kumara Parvatha in Pushpagiri belt, Sarat Abbi near Makutta, Narimale hills near Srimangala. Due to high demand across multiple routes, the forest department is inviting additional local applicants via 9380098454.Expected to open within a week, Tadiandamol has 20 guides assigned (capacity: 200 trekkers). Natural rock trail markers are being repainted, and opening depends on wild elephant tracking.For Kumara Parvatha, on Beedalli route, about 20 guides are ready, while Subramanya route has eight guides. Cross-routes remain temporarily unavailable due to a lack of assigned guides.Trekkers at forest trekking places must register and pay via Aranya Vihaara App.Trekkers can download an official KML route file during online booking, allowing offline GPS route tracking on mobile devices in remote forested areas, explained foresters.Dubare Elephant Camp is reopening on Sept 20, with new safety barricades prohibiting direct physical contact with elephants.
