Come November, you can trek through the picturesque forest route, from Castle Rock to Doodsagar in Belgaum district. This 16-km stretch forms the first phase of the country’s longest trekking route of 255 km proposed to be put in place by the Tourism Department, in coordination with the Forest Department. It links Castle Rock with Jog Falls through breathtaking destinations like Yaana in Uttara Kannada.
Announcing this at a press conference in Bangalore on Monday, Tourism and Higher Education Minister R.V. Deshpande said this project, which is estimated to cost Rs. 8 crore, is part of a total 12 projects worth Rs. 116.21 crore of the State government for which the Centre has given in-principle clearance. The entire 255-km trekking stretch is expected to be ready by November 2015, while the first phase is being opened this year.
The Jungle Lodges & Resorts will provide hospitality and guides’ services to the trekkers, while the Forest Department will provide other services, including security, according to JLR Executive Director Vijay Mohan Raj.
He explained that it would take 22 days for the trekkers to cover the entire proposed stretch from Castle Rock to Jog Falls. However, the route has been divided into several small stretches to bring in flexibility in terms of the time that a trekker will need. Safety aspects have been embedded into the proposed expedition with the use of latest navigation systems in addition to GPS, he said.
Meanwhile Mr. Deshpande said he had reiterated the State’s demand for relaxing the Coastal Regulation Zone norms to allow tourism development within 50 to 80 m from the high-tide in 41 beaches and 11 islands. At present, the norms ban any construction or tourism activity within 200 meters of high-tide line. If given permission, the State will either lease out or auction land in the beaches to private operators for tourism development, he said.
