Pune: The forest officials from Junnar division have made it clear that henceforth adventure sports activities like rappelling, hiking, valley crossing will need their prior permission. Deputy Conservator of Forest (Junnar Division) Jayrame Gowda has issued these instructions. The decision has been taken in order to promote disciplined tourism in the Junnar Forest Region. Only Shivneri, Naneghat routes have been exempted from the prior-permission rule.
Earlier, the trekking and adventure sports groups sought written permission letters from the Gram Panchayat offices for rappelling and valley crossing activities. They used to deposit the fee amount in a bank account of the joint forest management committee. Now these adventure and trekking groups will have to inform the joint committee as well as Junnar Forest Division about their event or activities. Also, permission for using drone cameras for shooting will also require permission from the head office.
Gowda has instructed his forest officials to ensure that no individual or group of persons engages in such activities without the prior permission of the forest department. He has also directed all range officials to issue written instructions about this decision to the other on-ground forest officials and staff.
Gowda has asked his team to prepare a list of all routes which lead to the forts and also demarcate the routes and camping sites falling under the forest department jurisdiction. The tourists will be allowed to use only these routes and camping sites when they seek permission for trekking or other adventure activities from the Junnar Forest Division. Gowda has categorically mentioned that the Naneghat and Shivneri route – which is a regularised route – will not need prior permission from the forest department.
The forest department officials will set up an entry-exit check-up point and ensure that all tourists, trekkers use the demarcated routes only. Those tourists who do not follow these rules, will be booked under relevant sections of the forest laws.