Check posts set up at 10 entry points to strengthen safety of trekkers in Kangra

Taking cognizance of the incidents of trekkers going missing on the high reaches of mountains in Kangra district, the district administration has set up special check posts on 10 trekking routes. Confirming this, District Magistrate Hemraj Bairwa said the check posts have been set up for the safety of trekkers. “The movement of trekkers will be monitored by the administration ensuring enhanced safety”, he said.

He said these check posts have been established at the starting points of 10 frequently used trekking routes across the district. Registration of every trekker will now be mandatory at these points.

The objective of the measure is to maintain real-time records of all trekkers so that prompt assistance could be extended in case of any emergency.

The check posts have been set up at Salli, Nauhli, Gallu Temple, Khadota village, Kand Kadiyana, Jiya, Thala, Nanahar, the Uttarala Power Project and Rajgundha accross Bir- Biling para-gliding site in the Kangra district.

To formalise the arrangement, the District Magistrate has issued orders under the Disaster Management Act, prohibiting trekking on these 10 identified routes without prior registration. “Anyone found trekking without registration will face legal action under the Act”, he said.

It may be mentioned that an Israeli trekker named Samuel Vengrinovich went missing near the Triund trail in June. He was found alive though with a fractured leg and arm after being missing for 10 days. He survived by eating forest fruits and grass.

A 27-year-old youth, Nitin Sharma, a resident of Lohara village in Amb tehsil of Una district, went missing on June 13 after he embarked on a solo trek to the Adi Himani Chamunda Devi temple in Kangra district. Since then, his whereabouts were not yet known.

Last year, the district administration had imposed a complete ban on trekking activities above 3,000 metres. But, this ban was hardly being obeyed by the trekkers in the absence of proper checking. Now, with check points and mandatory registration, it would become easier to implement these orders.

Hemraj Bairwa has appealed to trekking enthusiasts and tour operators to cooperate to ensure strict adherence to the guidelines. “This step has been taken in public interest to prevent any unfortunate incidents during trekking”, he added.