<p>As coastal heat is killing, many want to have a break in the Malnad. In such a case, go anywhere but the Bhagavati Nature Camp in Kudremukh because this Department of Forest run camp will disappoint you till the core.<br /><br /></p>.<p>For those coming to the camp for a visit will surely like the place but if someone is planning a stay, then hotels and home stays will be a better option. The degree of neglect by the department is obvious by the way the camp has been maintained and if the purpose is to avoid more tourists dropping in, under the pretext of ‘ecologically sensitive area,’ then the theory works very well because people who will stay in the camp once, will swear not to come again.<br /><br />Firstly, the tourists will have to go to Kudremukh town to the office of the Assistant Conservator of Forest and get the booking done. If you are expecting a neat printed receipt from the person sitting across the table who refuses to even look up and talk, then you are expecting too much. <br /><br />Like a primary school kid eager to make a paper boat, the person tears a page from a ruled note book and scribble- tent cost- Rs 1,000, extra person – Rs 500, car parking charges - Rs 100, entry fee - Rs 600 (Rs 200 per person) and hand over the grand total running to about Rs 2,000 to you.<br /><br />As one wonders if the amount paid will go to the government or will be gobbled by someone around, the answer will be waiting at the camp. A person at the camp will promptly take the paper sheet and point you to an unkempt tent. <br /><br />The floor of the tent has not been mopped since years and the toilets have surely not seen disinfectant for ages. Two neatly laid bed, one table with a chair, one pair of chair and tea poy, a cupboard and a corner piece makes the interior of the tent. <br /><br />The surrounding of the camp is worth a visit. Lots of trees, a running backwater, some deers making guest appearances will keep you captivated for some time but surely not for long. The camp was started in 1995 along with Mookambika Nature Camp and Seethanadi Camp to promote nature tourism. However, the plight of Bhagavati Nature Camp is pittiable. <br /><br />There are more than 10 tents here of which four have been totally torn. Though the camp banks on solar energy for its energy requirements, most of the bulbs in the tents have gone kaput. Even a mug of hot water will be a luxury and worst situation is that despite paying Rs 500 for the extra person, the camp personel will not provide an extra bed or a blanket, whatsoever.<br /><br />As far as food is concerned, the tourists will have to get the ration as per their requirement and give it to the cook at the camp, who is the only saving grace of the camp. He cooks sumptuous food and serves people with a smile on his face. Apart from this, one will have to travel kilometres either to Kudremukh market or to SK border for any requirement including mobile phone network. The camp does not have even landline connection and assuming a worst scenario of medical emergency, there is no way to contact anyone to call for medical aid.<br /><br />However, when all these issues were brought to the notice of Karkala Wildlife Division Deputy Conservator of Forest Prakash Netalkar, he said he will look into the matter.<br /><br />As far as torn tents are concerned, Netalkar revealed that the department does not have the funds to replace the tents! Whatever the financial paucities are, the visitors who come to Bhagavati Nature Camp feel that it is a testimony as to why Government plans often go to dogs and why private projects take off and touch pinnacle of glory.<br /><br /></p>
<p>As coastal heat is killing, many want to have a break in the Malnad. In such a case, go anywhere but the Bhagavati Nature Camp in Kudremukh because this Department of Forest run camp will disappoint you till the core.<br /><br /></p>.<p>For those coming to the camp for a visit will surely like the place but if someone is planning a stay, then hotels and home stays will be a better option. The degree of neglect by the department is obvious by the way the camp has been maintained and if the purpose is to avoid more tourists dropping in, under the pretext of ‘ecologically sensitive area,’ then the theory works very well because people who will stay in the camp once, will swear not to come again.<br /><br />Firstly, the tourists will have to go to Kudremukh town to the office of the Assistant Conservator of Forest and get the booking done. If you are expecting a neat printed receipt from the person sitting across the table who refuses to even look up and talk, then you are expecting too much. <br /><br />Like a primary school kid eager to make a paper boat, the person tears a page from a ruled note book and scribble- tent cost- Rs 1,000, extra person – Rs 500, car parking charges - Rs 100, entry fee - Rs 600 (Rs 200 per person) and hand over the grand total running to about Rs 2,000 to you.<br /><br />As one wonders if the amount paid will go to the government or will be gobbled by someone around, the answer will be waiting at the camp. A person at the camp will promptly take the paper sheet and point you to an unkempt tent. <br /><br />The floor of the tent has not been mopped since years and the toilets have surely not seen disinfectant for ages. Two neatly laid bed, one table with a chair, one pair of chair and tea poy, a cupboard and a corner piece makes the interior of the tent. <br /><br />The surrounding of the camp is worth a visit. Lots of trees, a running backwater, some deers making guest appearances will keep you captivated for some time but surely not for long. The camp was started in 1995 along with Mookambika Nature Camp and Seethanadi Camp to promote nature tourism. However, the plight of Bhagavati Nature Camp is pittiable. <br /><br />There are more than 10 tents here of which four have been totally torn. Though the camp banks on solar energy for its energy requirements, most of the bulbs in the tents have gone kaput. Even a mug of hot water will be a luxury and worst situation is that despite paying Rs 500 for the extra person, the camp personel will not provide an extra bed or a blanket, whatsoever.<br /><br />As far as food is concerned, the tourists will have to get the ration as per their requirement and give it to the cook at the camp, who is the only saving grace of the camp. He cooks sumptuous food and serves people with a smile on his face. Apart from this, one will have to travel kilometres either to Kudremukh market or to SK border for any requirement including mobile phone network. The camp does not have even landline connection and assuming a worst scenario of medical emergency, there is no way to contact anyone to call for medical aid.<br /><br />However, when all these issues were brought to the notice of Karkala Wildlife Division Deputy Conservator of Forest Prakash Netalkar, he said he will look into the matter.<br /><br />As far as torn tents are concerned, Netalkar revealed that the department does not have the funds to replace the tents! Whatever the financial paucities are, the visitors who come to Bhagavati Nature Camp feel that it is a testimony as to why Government plans often go to dogs and why private projects take off and touch pinnacle of glory.<br /><br /></p>
