Belagavi: Wildlife conservationist Giridhar Kulkarni has lodged a complaint with the district administration and senior Forest Department officials over alleged illegal tourism, unauthorised trekking and repeated trespassing in ecologically sensitive reserve forests of the Kanakumbi Range in Khanapur taluk. He has sought departmental and legal action against Kanakumbi Range Forest Officer (RFO) Devendra Mane, alleging failure to curb such activities despite prohibitory orders and repeated warnings.The complaint was addressed to deputy commissioner Mohammed Roshan, deputy conservator of forests NE Kranthi and assistant conservator of forests Basavaraj Walad. Kulkarni alleged that organised treks and unauthorised tourism activities continue in forests adjoining the Mahadayi and Bhimgad wildlife sanctuaries, among the most ecologically significant landscapes in the Western Ghats. He submitted over 20 social media videos as purported evidence.According to the complaint, the Kanakumbi forests are home to tigers, leopards, king cobras, sloth bears, gaurs and hornbills. Large parts of the area fall under the Protection-cum-Biodiversity Conservation Working Circle of the Belagavi Forest Division, which prioritises habitat protection, biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration.Kulkarni said the influx of visitors was contrary to conservation objectives and continued despite restrictions on entry to vulnerable forests and waterfalls, particularly during the monsoon. He also cited the Forest Department’s trekking SOP introduced in April 2026, which mandates registration, trained guides and digital route monitoring.Referring to recent deaths near waterfalls on the Karnataka-Goa-Maharashtra border, he claimed some visitors accessed the sites through forests under the Kanakumbi Range. The complaint named Sada, Chorla Gundi, Parwad and Chigule waterfalls, Sada Caves and nearby grasslands as locations frequently visited despite restrictions.Kulkarni sought action against the RFO, stricter enforcement, identification of illegal trekking operators and legal action against organisers and participants entering forests without authorisation.Responding to the allegations, Mane said the department was making every effort to prevent entry into restricted areas despite staff shortages. “Some visitors may have trespassed by evading vigilance, but we are doing our best to stop such activities,” he said.
