Now, seek prior permission before setting out on a trekking in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: Adventure sports have caught on well among denizens looking for weekend getaways from the city, and upcoming holiday season is adding to the craze. However, officials are reminding enthusiasts that prior permission would need to be taken before venturing into restricted areas. The warning comes in the wake of Theni forest fire accident, in which 10 youngsters were killed. The youngsters had not obtained any permission from the forest department.

“Trespassing into reserve forest is not considered as a serious offence. And, as the forest is an open property resource, people think they can go anywhere and do whatever they want,” said Dr Sidhanand Kurtey, Chief Conservatory of Forest, Rangareddy District while emphasising that it is not correct.
“It is the bonafide duty of trek clubs to inform us before entering forests. It helps the Range Officer and beat officer, who know the terrain better, reinforce rescue operations in times of need. We will not be able to help them if they do not inform us. After all, the forest is not a small place,” Kurtey added.

Anantagiri hills, Kuntala waterfalls and Nagarjuna Sagar dam are the popular choices for weekend getaway among the youngsters, especially those working in the IT sector. However, wildfire is a common natural, sometimes manmade, disaster that happens in the forest and the risk only rises in summer when heat is high and leaves are dry. Dousing the flames become a challenge if the terrain is not motorable, add officials.