Karnataka Forest Department Introduces Strict SOPs for Forest Treks

The Karnataka Forest Department announced a new safety framework designed to standardise and tighten regulations for forest trekking activities throughout the state. The guidelines lay out detailed standard operating procedures covering route planning, mandatory guide certification, emergency response protocols and limits on the number of trekkers per group. Department officials said the measures will be enforced from the date of issuance and urged both trekkers and tour operators to attend compulsory briefings before venturing into forest areas. The initiative comes after a series of accidents in recent years that highlighted gaps in oversight and prompted calls for stronger safety norms. To ensure compliance, the department will conduct regular inspections and impose penalties on any violations of the new SOPs.