Toposheet: 48P/10
Altitude: 868 m
Lat: 12 39'40"N : Long 75 41'15"E
As I was strenuously trudging up the hill, I met the Forest Guard K. Jayaraju of the Pushpagiri Wild Life Range which has its main office at Somwarpet. This poor soul has been stationed here for the past 12 years. He seems to have got accustomed to the tough conditions of service that he has to face. In the first place the staff, for their provisions, has to trudge down to Subramanya and back up again - a total distance of about 10 km that involves about 2000 ft of descent and climbing. Further, since there is no school in the vicinity, it is necessary that they leave their families behind. In the event of a sudden serious illness, there is no transport available to take them below. He has one or two assistants, but still, life can be lonesome. Once a week, he and his staff have to clear the entire stretch of the trekking route from Subramanya to Kumara Parvata as clean as possible and as free of rounded cobbles that can cause trekkers to slip and fall and hurt themselves. Anyone who has ventured up the hill will know of the severe physical effort involved in the whole exercise of firstly maintaining themselves at such a place, and secondly, in trying to keep the environment of the sanctuary clean – that too having to reckon with Indians.
It is here that Indian trekkers can be, and are very effectively, ruthless. I saw the Forest Guard Jayraju pick up several sachets of pan masala packets, small slivers of silvery foils of peppermints, chocolates, empty cigarette packets, dozens of plastic mineral water bottles, whisky and rum bottles (sadly empty, of course!), beer cans and paper plates and plastic cups. The least the trekkers can do is to save them in a plastic bag and carry it back with them. It was disheartening to see all this garbage and debris strewn all around and at important scenic spots. Trekkers! Please have a heart for others! Try and emulate the westerners who spare no effort in conscientiously avoiding littering and consciously participate in the preservation of the environment.
The Forest Office at Girigadde is well maintained and neat. They have even cultivated and maintained a neat garden with many fruit trees like guava and plantains and many flowering plants. The staff is quite courteous. A sum of Rs. 100/- is charged per head, for those who intend to trek upwards from Girigadde towards Pushpagiri or Kumara Parvata. A single person is not allowed to enter, and the lowest unit is a group of two persons. Cameras are charged extra.
(Photo left: Viewing Platform with wooden benches. Forest Guard Jayraju seen. Kumara Parvata the tallest peak seen in the background)
As a useful suggestion, I wish the department places about six to seven large garbage bins and trash cans at the peak and at the Kallu Mantapa and at the water source near it, and further in the woods at the saddle between the Sesha Parvata and Kumara Parvata where there is a flow of water. It is at these places that people seem to camp and dine and generally dirty up things.
Phone Number of the Forest Guard : 94494 75506.
To be Continued …
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