Belagavi
The forest department has officially reopened the picturesque Chikale Waterfalls in Khanapur taluk for tourists with paid entry. However, the absence of a strict monitoring system at the venue has raised serious safety concerns, as visitors continue to take dangerous risks near the edge of the falls. Following days of incessant rainfall, several waterfalls in the Khanapur taluk came alive, with Chikale, located in the Kanakumbi forest range, emerging as the most popular destination. Visitors must undertake a 2-km trek from the designated parking area to reach the site.
Officials cited two reasons for lifting restrictions, persistent tourist inflow through unauthorised routes and a shortage of forest personnel to enforce closure effectively. Entry fees have been fixed at Rs 60 for adults and Rs 30 for children. Parking charges are Rs 40 for two-wheelers, Rs 60 for four-wheelers, and Rs 100 for minibuses and larger vehicles. Additionally, a fee of Rs 50 is levied for carrying cameras. These charges are collected by the local village forest committee. Despite the reopening, the site lacks basic amenities and effective crowd control. Visitors, particularly younger tourists, have been spotted climbing over fences and venturing dangerously close to the edge of the waterfalls to capture photos and videos for social media.
These activities pose serious risks and are currently going unchecked. Deputy Conservator of Forests Maria D Christu Raja acknowledged the situation, stating, we have deployed four personnel to manage tourist activity, but given the vast area, more control is needed. I have instructed local officials to station a dedicated staff member near the falls to ensure visitor safety. While the department has erected safety fencing at hazardous spots along the route, it is proving ineffective, with tourists easily bypassing them, she said.