Trekking misadventures should not be celebrated, say forest officials
The recent incident involving a trekker from Kerala who went missing and was later rescued in the forests of Kodagu has highlighted the importance of adhering to forest regulations, according to officials from the Kerala Forest department. As social media celebrates the trekker for her ‘courage’, the Kerala forest officials dismiss the incident as a stroke of luck and warn the public about the dangers of illegal treks and straying off designated trails, which amount to punishable offence under the Kerala Forest Department Act. Speaking to The Hindu, Nadapuram native G.S. Saranya, who was rescued from the forests, said she had moved ahead of the group after beginning her descent from the peak at around 10:45 a.m. She was waiting for the two trekkers to join her when she lost her way. “I moved about while waiting for them, and then in an attempt to reach other trekkers, I took another route. But as I went forward, I lost my way,” said Ms. Saranya, “I survived on water from the stream and slept on the …
