First in India: 'Don't ogle' signboards to come up at Karnataka waterfalls

Men take in more than just the scenic beauty when gaze at the waterfalls, tourism officials suspect.

That’s the reason signboards are coming up at Karnataka’s picturesque cascades, warning men not to gape at women.

The idea is to make women tourists feel safe, a top tourism official said. The department hasn't decided how to phrase the warning, but it is clear about what the signboards should do: explicitly warn men not to eye bathing and frolicking women. In other words, this ain't Baywatch, dude. “Women have the right to enjoy the waterfalls as much as men, and this should be respected. We are putting up these boards to ensure women get some privacy,” Naveen Raj Singh, tourism secretary, told DH.

Other boards warn tourists against taking photographs in ‘no-selfie zones.’

Printed handbook

The department is preparing a guidebook about the many lush waterfalls in Karnataka.
“Waterfalls are a star attraction during the monsoon and towards the end of the tourist season. Through the handbook, many less known waterfalls will become popular,” Singh said.

The book gives the location of each waterfall and details about how to get there.
People can reach the waterfalls on cycles and motorbikes, and through trekking routes and trails.