Fear of Kyasanur Forest Disease across Udupi district
Entry into water falls, trekking spots restricted
Udupi, Jan 27: Following the fear of Kyasanur Forest Disease, the Forest Department (Wildlife) has restricted the entry into water falls, trekking places and other tourist spots in the forest area, temporarily.
As per the direction of the Deputy Commissioner, the entry into all water falls and trekking spots in the Western Ghats region in Karkala and Kundapura taluks were restricted. Caution notice and awareness placards were put up in all places restricting the entry. The entry into six tourist spots were restricted in Hebri Wildlife division. The entry of tourists to Kudlu waterfalls in Someshwara wildlife division, Jomlu Thirtha near Hebri Santhekatte, Narasimha hill, Onake Abbi falls near Agumbe, trekking spot near Madamakki, Barkana, Jogigundi falls and other places were restricted temporarily.
Placards restricting the entry into Kudlu waterfalls where butterfly lovers, photographers, were put up in front of the gate in view of the Kyasanur Forest Disease by the Hebri Someshwara wildlife division and Nadpalu Megadde Kodlu development committee.
In the same way, waterfalls in Kollur, Amasebailu and Siddapura wildlife division, Kodachadri hill and other trekking spots were also restricted and tourists were asked not to visit these places. It was mentioned in the placards that the Kyasanur Forest Disease spreading by virus was deadly and it would spread through ticks from monkeys. Since the ticks develop during December to May, people should avoid visiting forest except emergency situation. Since the disease does not have proper vaccination, people should restraint themselves from going to forest areas. The depart also restricted to feed monkeys, stated in a statement.
"The entry of tourists into the tourist spots in the Western Ghats was restricted keeping in view of Kyasanur Forest Disease and forest fire. Warning messages were put up in important trekking spots in Kudremukh national park and Kodachadri hill".
- Rudran, DFO, Kudremukh wildlife division, Karkala
Feeding monkeys restricted
"Not only the entry of tourist spots, but feeding monkeys on the way to trekking spots was also restricted. Agumbe sun-set point entry was not restricted as the place is on the road. But the tourists should keep themselves away from monkeys. The monkeys at the sun set point should not be fed. Placards were also put up on Agumbe ghat section road".
- Vanilla Hegde, Hebri wildlife division officer
Three more caracases of monkeys found
On Saturday, caracases of three more monkeys were found in the district. With them, the number of monkeys died in the district from Jan 8 was increased to 78. The caracases were found in Kokkarne and Mandarthi in Udupi taluk and Hallihole Eleberu in Kundapura taluk. But they were burnt with conducting postmortem, said Kyasanur Forest Disease nodal officer Dr Prashant Bhat.
On Friday, the blood samples of two patients sent to Manipal lab were tested positive. Today, another patient from Belve Albadi admitted to Manipal hospital and his blood sample was also sent to laboratory, he said.
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BJP turning EC into tool for vote chori: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that the BJP is turning the Election Commission into a "tool" for "vote chori".
Sharing a clip of his speech during a discussion on election reforms in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Gandhi said on X, "India's public is asking these 3 very important and direct questions: 1. Why was the CJI removed from the EC selection panel? 2. Why was almost complete legal immunity given to the EC before the 2024 elections? 3. Why the hurry to destroy CCTV footage within 45 days?"
"The answer is one - BJP is turning the Election Commission into a tool for vote theft," the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said.
In a no-holds-barred attack, Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that the BJP and the Election Commission were "colluding to destroy" India's democracy and "rob people of their voice".
Participating in the discussion on election reforms, Gandhi claimed the BJP is "directing and using" the Election Commission to damage India's democracy.
Making suggestions, Gandhi called for providing machine readable voter list to all parties one month before elections, taking back the law that allows destruction of CCTV footage after 45 days, giving access to EVMs, and changing the law that allows election commissioners "to get away with whatever they want to do".
