# Karnataka forest dept bans commercial trekking in Nelji-Peruru 2026-08-25T15:24:10+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Karnataka Forest Department has banned unauthorised commercial mass trekking and tourism activities in Nelji, Peruru and surrounding areas in Kodagu district. The department issued a warning after noticing such activities being promoted on social media. The area is close to forest regions and is a sensitive wildlife habitat frequented by wild elephants. The department said uncontrolled tourism could pose a serious threat to human life. Organisers will be held directly responsible under civil and criminal laws for any injury, loss of life or wildlife conflict. The ban also covers plucking or destroying native vegetation and unauthorised drone flights over forest areas, citing the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963, and wildlife protection laws. Violations will be reported to district authorities for further action. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The shola-grassland ecosystem of the Western Ghats, which includes Nelji and Peruru, is one of India's most biodiverse yet fragile landscapes, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site cluster in 2012. Kodagu district has seen a surge in unregulated eco-tourism and homestay-based treks in recent years, often promoted on Instagram and YouTube without permits. The state forest department, under the Karnataka Forest Act, has the authority to declare any area near a reserved forest as a prohibited zone for entry. Similar bans have been imposed in other elephant corridor stretches such as Sakleshpur and the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. The key measure to watch is whether the Kodagu district administration issues a formal order under Section 33 of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963, which would make the ban enforceable with fines and arrest powers. ## Coverage - thehindu.com Straightforward press release reproduction with no added commentary or slant. This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Karnataka Forest Act 1963, Karnataka Forest Department, Kodagu, Nelji, Western Ghats Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/karnataka-forest-dept-bans-commercial-trekking-in-nelji-peruru/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/karnataka-forest-dept-bans-commercial-trekking-in-nelji-peruru/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/