Madikeri, May 26: The Karnataka government has come up with two novel programmes for women: a women-only tour package and setting up of an all-women trekking guides group.
Planned by the Forest department, the all-women trekking guides group is said to be the first such initiative in India. These women groups will help trekkers on the dedicated trekking trails identified by the Forest department. To start with, women guides will be introduced on three eco-trails of Kodagu district.
Women will be drawn from local villages and tribal hamlets as they know the terrain better. Such women will be trained and recruited by Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board (KETDB).
Vinay Lutra, Chairman of KETDB said that they had received a special request from Kodagu CEO and Chief Conservator of Forests to have all-women trained trek guides.
“The demand for trekking trails is very high and so is the demand for women guides. Based on the response and success rate, more such teams will be formed in the coming days,” he said.
The idea of involving them is to make the women of this section and region employed and independent. The women are being identified and shortlisted by the local forest officials and panchayat members. The KETDB is only training the women.
Vijay Mohan Raj, Chief Conservator of Forests, Chikkamagalur, and member of KETDB, said that earlier 70 women were trained to be a part of the certified women volunteer programme.
These are women from various civil societies. But, this will be for the first time where 30 women will be trained to be trekking guides.
“The difference is that the volunteers are not paid, but these guides will be given permanent employment and a monthly salary. Guides will be trained professionals,” Raj said.
Though dates of the training and their recruitment is not yet decided, board members hinted that it is most likely to start from June. Guides will undergo a week-long training on the trekking routes, the dos and don’ts in the forest, identification of the birds, plants, insects and animals and health safety.
Tour package
The ‘women’s special’ tour package is a novel initiative of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC). The first of its kind by a State-run tourism corporation in the country, a three-day, two-night tour of Mysuru and Kodagu promises to be a unique experience for women travellers.
Priced at ?6,406 (for a 39-seater) and ?4,596 (for a 31-seater bus), the package provides a bus for women, accommodation at KSTDC properties, and guides to help. “Our itinerary is such that women can enjoy nature, adventure, culture, architecture, and shopping. There is also a visit to a silk factory, and time to relax at coffee and spice plantations,” said an official. The package has been launched on a pilot basis.
Officials said they had received feedback and enquiries from potential travellers though the trip was yet to commence. The tour would become operational when a minimum of 35 passengers signed up.
Although rooms in KSTDC hotels were on a twin-sharing basis, single travellers could be accommodated in single rooms depending on the availability, the officials added. More destinations were likely to be added to the package based on the response to the Mysuru-Kodagu offer.
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