An adventurous start to the weekend ended with a horrific experience for 39 trekkers and their families. A forest fire in Kurangani hills in Theni district of Tamil Nadu claimed 10 lives and injured more than 14 trekkers from Chennai, Coimbatore and Tiruppur.
Following this, the forest department in Karnataka has banned trekking in the forest areas till the dry season ends and rain hits the state.
'Metrolife' speaks to trekkers in the city who share a few tips to keep in mind while exploring forest areas.
Dev Balaji, a trekker and the founder of 'Nature Admire
Adventure', says that forest fires are more often than not a result of people's careless attitudes.
Mounika founder 'Gutsytribe' shares some of the 'don'ts'
Don't drink and smoke in the forest. (A small spark can result in a huge fire).
Playing loud music. Don't disturb the equilibrium of nature
Don't put the bonfire or do any kind of cooking on dry grassland, instead use a level soiled surface.
Dev shares some of the 'do's'
Understanding the season.
Best time for trekking and camping in the forest regions of Western Ghats is October to January and April to December in the Himalayas.
Ensure to have valid permission from forest authorities.
Leave details of all trekkers with concerned authorities like DCF, RFO and SP.
Leave contact details, blood group, emergency contact number and the organiser's details with family, loved ones, HR or principals.
Preparing trekkers mentally and technically to face incidences like forest fire, losing the tracks, dehydration, hypothermia and death in the waterfalls.
Leave the place only when the bonfire or cooking fire is doused completely.
Carry enough water to avoid dehydration.
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