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India.com
a day ago
- India.com
Planning A Night Trek? Tips For Exploring Thiruvananthapuram's Forests
An adventure opportunity exists in Thiruvananthapuram capital city because its location surrounds biodiverse forest areas and lush green vegetation. Late evening forest treks enable you to bond with nature through an exciting nighttime adventure. Planning this kind of activity needs detailed preparation for both safety purposes as well as impact reduction on the environment so participants can attain maximum satisfaction. The following guide outlines all necessary steps to organize both secure and memorable night treks among forests which lie close to Thiruvananthaparam. the Right Location The fundamental beginning point for your night trek involves selecting an appropriate forest destination which is close to Thiruvananthaparam. Some popular options include: Ponmudi Hills : Known for its scenic beauty and moderate trails. Agasthyakoodam stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site where trekking paths lead between diverse plant and animal species. The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary offers visitors various species of plants and animals together with short hiking distances. Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary : Famous for its dense evergreen forests and wildlife sightings. You should perform research about the terrain type and accessibility features together with restrictions and permits needed before choosing your final destination. Tükendeleckung ermitteln, die bis Mitternacht passen und die aktuelle Pfad Strecke für eure Gruppe angemessen ist. Weather Conditions The conditions of weather enable you to assess whether a nighttime trek should proceed or not. Heavy rainfall during June–September forms a dangerous trail condition due to slippery ground. March delivers the optimal temperatures for trekkers during the period spanning December through February. Begin your journey only when you have verified weather reports to ensure safety since storms and harsh weather should be avoided in forest areas. Necessary Permissions Most of the forest territories around Thiruvananthapuram require permission from the Kerala Forest Department due to their protected status. A permission from local authorities often becomes necessary when planning a nighttime trekking expedition. You can find complete information about the application process through either reaching the nearest forest office or accessing their official website. Tell a dependable person your trip plans which should detail the intended course as well as the estimated duration when you will be back. a Reliable Group For a successful night trek experience one must have a small group consisting of reliable experienced persons. Alone travel should be avoided since it creates additional dangers from routing mistakes or unexpected incidents. Physical fitness with mental preparedness must exist throughout the entire group before starting night trekking activities. The trek will benefit from clear role assignments where different members take responsibility as navigator, medic and leader to help with decision-making. Essential Gear Having the right equipment stands as an essential requirement for guaranteeing a successful night trek. The following equipment list includes everything you will require: The highly important hands-free lighting devices known as headlamps as well as flashlights provide essential illumination for dark trails. A night trek can be supported with additional battery power through spare backups that prevent power shortages. The best footwear choice consists of hiking shoes which provide stable footing and efficient grip for rough surfaces. Wear multiple textured wearable fabrics which adjust to temperature variations. Wear fabrics other than cotton since it has the tendency to absorb moisture. First Aid Kit : Include bandages, antiseptics, painkillers, and medications for allergies or snake bites. The wildlife trip requires nutritious food supplies consisting of nuts and energy bars together with fruit packs in addition to enough freshwater. A person should have a minimum of 2–3 liters of water packed for their journey. Always maintain physical maps as a backup when using Map and Compass/GPS Device since modern technology might fail. Basic Survival Skills Before you start a night trek you must learn basic survival abilities. Recognizing maps and mastering compass usage along with GPS devices learning forms part of navigation skills. Learn about regional wildlife by understanding that elephants with leopards as well as snakes are common so you can respond properly in case they appear. The emergency guidelines cover needed responses for injuries and getting lost as well as handling adverse weather conditions. Tourists practicing Leave No Trace Principles should respect the environment and minimize their waste production during responsible tourism. Beginners should sign up for a brief wilderness survival training session whether through an online course or in-person workshop. Safe During the Trek The safety of all participants should be your main concern while performing night trekking. To maintain your security, always follow these safety guidelines. Refrain from traveling beyond designated hiking paths since it creates a danger of getting lost and experiencing accidents. Moving slowly combined with keeping quiet behavior decreases both wildlife startsle risks and minimizes your energy consumption. Mobile phone users should keep their devices fully charged while also having portable backup chargers ready to use. Report your advancement status to your contacts at frequent intervals. Keep a distance from wild creatures by refraining from any disturbances to animals or plants. Avoid both noisy behavior and staying too close to animals. With your flashlight reduced to essentials for night vision protection you need to actively observe your foot placement for avoiding roots and rocks that would trip you. Final Thoughts The forests bordering Thiruvananthapuram present an opportunity to view natural beauty during nighttime hours. Your dream adventure awaits when you select a suitable spot, evaluate weather patterns, secure all essential permissions and assemble capable members followed by packing survival-centric equipment and expertise so you can achieve memories filled with safety. You can achieve a successful trek provided you prepare adequately and show respect to nature. Equipped for adventure you should embrace the journey through which you will experience magical forest scenes under the starlit night sky.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Preferential treatment raises eyebrows
The Kerala Forest Department's recent move to approach the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for a one-time amnesty for people possessing wildlife trophy in the State has reignited a debate over the department's alleged preferential treatment of wildlife offenders. The department has pushed a proposal for 'granting another chance to declare wild animal articles and trophies under Section 40 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972'. The justification for moving the proposal to the State Board for Wildlife was to offer an opportunity for the legal heirs of those who inherited wildlife trophy from their ancestors with valid ownership certificates. Senior officials noted that there had been several instances of the legal heirs failing to get the inherited wildlife trophy declared in their names on time for various reasons. Section 40 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, prescribes that 'every person having the control, custody or possession of any animal article, trophy or uncured trophy of captive animals specified in Schedule I shall declare to the Chief Wildlife Warden or the Authorised Officer within 30 days from the commencement of the Act.' Illegal possession of a wildlife trophy can result in imprisonment for three to seven years and a fine of not less than ₹25,000. Although forest officials argued that the beneficiaries of the proposed scheme would be legal heirs of those with the rightful ownership certificates — and that the Union government should take a call on the request — the move brought back to discussion the conflicting stands taken by the department in the case of actor Mohanlal and popular Malayalam rapper Vedan (V. M. Hiran Das), both booked for illegal possession of wildlife trophy. Officials asserted that the proposal had nothing to do with any of the wildlife crime cases currently being pursued in courts, but this has set tongues wagging. When the department took a benevolent approach to Mohanlal, who was reportedly found in possession of two pairs of ivory fixed on a mirror stand a few years ago, it went tough on Vedan, who was found wearing a chain with a pendant allegedly made from a leopard tooth. While it took an Income Tax Department raid for the department to know about the actor's alleged possession of ivory, a criminal case was booked by police for alleged possession of ganja, paving the way for the action against Vedan. The department wasted no time in arresting the rapper, whereas it reportedly handled the case of Mohanlal with kid gloves. Vedan told officials that the leopard tooth was a gift from an admirer and that he was unaware of the legal intricacies. Incidentally, both cases were booked at the Malayattoor Forest Range office and registered at the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Perumbavoor. The department chose not to remove the mirror studded with two sets of fully developed ivory to its strongroom or the State Treasury, where the material objects involved in court cases are stored. Though not illegal to leave the material objects, which are difficult to transport, with the accused after completing the legal formalities, questions on possible destruction of evidence by the accused were raised in this case. The alleged haste with which the department acted in Vedan's case received widespread condemnation from the public and those who had earlier led the State Forest Department. There was criticism that the department chose to ignore the alleged use of similar pendants by two other Malayalam movie actors, including a Union Minister. Urgent need 'Great injustice to Vedan. Nobody can be duped by a fake elephant tusk. But anybody can get confused with a tiger/leopard tooth with that of another similar animal. What a shame, especially considering the fact that the much-discussed elephant tusk case was also dealt with in the same Forest Range Office,' noted Gopinath Vallilil, a former Head of Forest Force, Kerala, in his social media account. Preferential treatment for the mighty would undermine the foundation of the rule of law and public trust in the system. The discriminatory treatment meted out to the two accused in the wildlife crime cases calls for balanced handling of the cases to earn and consolidate public trust and fair dispensation of justice.
Hans India
12-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Eshwar Khandre - Kerala Forest Minister Saseendran Meet
Bengaluru: Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre has agreed to exchange skills and knowledge required for the management of wildlife and birds in the newly-launched biological park at Puthur in Thrissur district of Kerala. Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran, who met Firest Minister Eshwar Khandre at Vikas Soudha on Thursday, responded positively to the request to share technical expertise on the management of wildlife in the first biological park being launched by the Kerala Forest Department. The biological park has been designed by world-renowned zoo designer John Seo of Australia, and it is being implemented in an area of 136.8 acres and will be operational by the end of August, Minister Saseendran informed. He also requested that some additional wildlife from the zoos in Karnataka be provided to the new zoo. During this visit, the steps taken in the State of Kerala regarding Deemed Forest and the decisions taken on the Kasturirangan Report were also discussed. Chief Wildlife Warden of the Kerala Forest Department Pramod G Krishnan and senior officials of the Karnataka Forest Department Meenakshi Negi, Subhash Malkade, Sunil Panwar, Surya Sen and others were present in the meeting.
