Nagarahole, Bandipur tribal girls to trek the Himalayas

Twelve tribal girls from Nagarahole and Bandipur forest region left the city to participate in Asha-2019, a trekking expedition to the Himalayas, organised by Tiger Adventure Foundation in association with the Ladies Circle India, on Thursday.

The participants are likely to reach the summit of Mt Saurkundi Pass, which is around 14,000 ft on May 11 and will return to Mysuru on May 18. The participants will visit historical places such as Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Golden Temple, en route the Himalayas.

The girls were selected through extensive fitness tests, medical tests and training camps in areas such as Chamundi Hill, HD Kote and Kunti Betta. Over the course of a few months, 12 tribal girls were selected and they will be accompanied by two doctors and training personnel, during the trekking.

The girls from Jenu Kuruba, Kadu Kurba and Bettada Kuruba tribes were accompanied by two female staff and one male staff from the Viveka Tribal Centre For Learning, Sargur.

Sushmitha, a 14-year-old girl from HD Kote, said, “I am happy to be a part of this journey. I never ever dreamed of going to the Himalayas. Now, my parents are proud of me.”

Another girl said, she read about the Himalayas, but now, she is getting an opportunity to go there.

Apart from tribal girls, 25 women from different parts of the Karnataka like Udupi, Bengaluru, Mangaluru and Mysuru are also part of the trek camp.

Ladies Circle India has funded the project via crowdfunding, from seven countries, eight states and several other individuals. “We want to imbibe the spirit of adventure among tribal girls,” said Namrata H Shenoy, president of Ladies Circle India.

District in-charge and Higher Education Minister G T Devegowda handed over the tricolour and expedition flags to the girls, in the city, recently. Devegowda highlighted the importance of upliftment of tribal communities and congratulated the young adventurers.

- Rahul Balaji and L R Vismayi