Daijiworld Media Network – Chikkamagaluru

Chikkamagaluru, July 26: In a significant enforcement action, police have detained 103 tourists for allegedly trekking without permission in the prohibited Bidirutala forest area within the Charmadi Ghats of Mudigere taluk, located deep in the Western Ghats.

The group was caught on Saturday after police received specific information about the illegal entry. Teams from Banakal and Balur police stations, led by PSI Renuka and PSI Dilip Kumar respectively, conducted a surprise raid in the forest and took all the individuals into custody.

According to police sources, the detained tourists include employees from several prominent IT companies based in Bengaluru, who had allegedly planned the trek without securing any official clearance from the Forest Department.

As part of the operation, two tourist buses and two pickup vehicles used by the group were seized. Investigations reveal that a local person had guided the tourists into the restricted forest zone. Authorities are now probing the role of the local organiser.

“Entering a protected area without prior permission from the Forest Department is a punishable offence under the Forest Act,” said a police official familiar with the case.

Legal proceedings have been initiated against the tourists, and officials emphasised that trekking in ecologically sensitive and restricted regions will not be tolerated.