Tiger census: Trekking banned within Kudremukha National Park for 8 days; details here
Chikkamagaluru: Trekking has been prohibited on popular peak, waterfalls, and viewpoints within the Kudremukha National Park limits for 8 days starting January 5, in view of the All India Tiger Census 2026.
According to an order issued by the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Karkala, of the Kudremukha Wildlife Division, the tiger census will be conducted from January 5 to January 12, 2026, and restrictions will remain in force at all trekking locations during this period.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the census, the Forest Department has ordered the closure of trekking destinations, including Kudremukha, Gangadikallu, Kurinjal, Valikunja Kerekatte, Netravathi, Kodachadri Malur, Kodachadri Hidlumane Waterfall, Narasimha Parvata Mallandur, Narasimha Parvata Kigga, Valikunja Karkala, and Bandaje Volambra.
In addition to trekking trails, all waterfalls within the restricted zones have also been closed to tourists and the general public. The move is aimed at preventing disruption to census operations and ensuring the safety of wildlife.
The Forest Department has appealed to tourists and trekkers not to plan visits during the restricted period. Officials have warned that strict action will be taken against violators, and forest guards will be deployed along trekking routes.
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Chair hurled at Union Minister of State V. Somanna during public event in Koppal
Koppal: Tension prevailed for a brief period at Hitnal village in Koppal taluk on Monday after a chair was allegedly hurled at Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, during a public function.
The incident occurred when Somanna was attending the foundation stone–laying ceremony for a railway flyover near Hitnal village.
According to reports, a group of Congress workers expressed anger over the alleged exclusion of Koppal MP K. Rajashekar Basavaraj Hitnal and District In-charge Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi from the invitation list for the program. During the incident, a chair was reportedly thrown, but the Minister was unharmed as his security personnel intervened in time.
Following the incident, chaos ensued at the venue for some time, with protesters allegedly throwing chairs and staging a demonstration in front of Somanna’s vehicle, accusing the organisers of violating protocol.
The railway flyover project, being taken up for Rs 27 crore, connects the Hitnal–Munirabad–Ginigera stretch.
Reacting to the incident, Somanna said the project was fully funded by the Central government and denied any breach of protocol. “There was no violation of etiquette related to the programme. The disturbance was created intentionally,” he said.
