Karnataka introduces trekking SOP with mandatory guides, GPS tracking after safety incidents

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Apr 17, 2026: In the wake of recent mishaps, Karnataka has introduced a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for trekking routes under the forest department to enhance safety measures for trekkers.

Announcing the new guidelines on Friday, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said trekking will now require mandatory supervision, with one Nature Guide assigned for every 10 trekkers. Additionally, the number of participants per trek will be capped at 150.

All trekkers must register online in advance, enabling the department to arrange guides. “A guide will be provided even if a single person registers,” the minister said.

The SOP follows two recent incidents involving trekkers losing their way. In one case, GS Sharanya was rescued by indigenous people four days after going missing while descending from Tadiandamol peak in Kodagu. In another tragic incident, a 15-year-old girl who went missing during a family trek to Chandradrona Hill in Chikkamagaluru was later found dead.

To strengthen safety, all Nature Guides will be equipped with GPS-enabled walkie-talkies, while trekkers must install a tracking app to allow real-time monitoring. Parental consent will be mandatory for minors.

Basic facilities such as separate toilets for men and women, drinking water, route maps, and resting points will be arranged at base camps. Trekkers will also receive briefings on trek duration, difficulty levels, and safety measures, including how to respond to wildlife encounters.

The SOP prohibits carrying sharp metal objects, single-use plastic bags, weapons, and noise-producing instruments. Lighting campfires will also be strictly banned.

Nature Guides will be held responsible for the safety of trekkers and must follow strict protocols, including carrying first-aid kits, ensuring no one moves ahead of the group, conducting headcounts at intervals, and maintaining communication with base camps every 30 minutes.

At the base camp, officials will monitor all trekking activities and will alert authorities if there is no communication from the group for over an hour.