Karnataka offers the first canopy walks on February 18

February 18, Karnataka tourism is all set to inaugurate the first canopy walk in India in the Western Ghats. It is in Kuveshi area at 30 ft height, near Uttara Kannada Castle Rock, where the visitors will be provided a 240-meter walkway as a bird’s eye view of this luxuriant landscape.

This is the first canopy walk that will be a reality in Karnataka Western Ghats. This is a 240m canopy that is 30ft above the ground.

Forest Minister Ramanath Rai, R V Deshpande, Industries Minister and Priyank Kharge, the Tourism Minister will stage their presence during the inauguration.

O Palaiah believes the canopy walk will promote awareness about the environment among visitors.

“The work is in finishing stages and the platforms are ready. The area for canopy walk is developed by the Tourism Department in association with Forest Department. After the inauguration, the operator will be decided by the government,” said O Palaiah.

This idea of canopy walk was mooted for three years. But got into legal hurdle after apprehension was raised by conservationists about harm to the Western Ghats.

The project of canopy walk is developed by the Karnataka forest department with the state tourism department. The forests chief conservator, Kali Tiger Reserve, O Palaiah, informed this project will permit maximum 10 people to walk at a time and two can stand on different platforms to get a view of this fertile area.

“We will permit Day 1 visitors to experience the canopy walk for free. However, later the regular entries will start after we sign a MoU with the respective Karnataka Jungle Lodges and Resorts or the Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board (KEDB).  He added that ‘This may take few days’.

The Canopy walks are popular in Europe, South Africa and South America woods giving the tourists an opportunity to experience natural delights from a higher elevation.  These are loved by bird watchers and lovers.

Palaiah said the forest department proposed Rs 50 fee per adult and a child for Rs 25 as admission fee (only above 13 years). “However, this tariff will be revised depending on the operator requirements signing the MoU who are responsible to run this facility,” he added.