A warning sign installed restricting public access on the route to Vibhuti Falls in Achave village of Ankola taluk.
Credit: DH Photo
Karwar: Hundreds of waterfalls come to life in the Uttara Kannada district during the monsoon season, attracting a large number of tourists eager to witness their beauty.
However, due to the increase in landslides at the beginning of the rainy season, public access to popular tourist spots such as waterfalls and forest-based destinations like Yana has been temporarily restricted for safety reasons.
Local village forest committees in the areas surrounding these tourist spots have started constructing fences along the pathways to prevent visitors from entering the restricted zones.
Despite the restrictions, tourists continue to visit attractions such as Ankola’s Vibhuti Falls, Kumta’s Yana, and Yellapur’s Magodu Falls, often unaware of the bans and risks. Members of the village forest committees have been stopping these tourists and turning them back for their safety.
Tourists disappointed
“On weekends, tourists from other districts come to see the waterfalls and Yana. They only learn about the restrictions when they arrive near the spots. Those who have travelled such long distances get upset when denied access and sometimes argue with locals. Instead, it would be better to install clear signboards about the restrictions along the highways near the district borders,” said G M Shetty, a local leader from Achave village in Ankola taluk.
Kanara Forest Circle CF K V Vasant Reddy said, “Due to an increased risk of landslides during the monsoon, all deputy conservators of forests (DCFs) have been instructed to impose restrictions on tourists visiting waterfalls. Visitors will be allowed to resume visits to these sites after the monsoon season ends.” The temporary ban aims to protect both tourists and the fragile environment from potential hazards during the rainy season.