Kuveshi canopy walkway in Karnataka to be open for public this November
India’s first canopy walk is all set to open for tourists by mid-November. Though it was inaugurated in February, entry of tourists was barred because of monsoon. The 240 meter canopy walkway 30 meters above ground level in the dense forests of Western Ghats was constructed by the The Forest and Tourism departments jointly at a cost of Rs 84 lakh. It is situated at Kuveshi in Castle Rock wildlife range.
The canopy walk project was proposed three years ago; however it was delayed due to objections by conservationists. Later, it was cleared by the central authorities. It was formally inaugurated on 18th February 2018, by R V Deshpande, then industries minister.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Forest Department and Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR) to operate the canopy walk In April, but due to the monsoon, the entry of tourists was banned in all the protected areas, including Castle Rock.
JLR, the operating agency, has fixed Rs 500 for adults and Rs 300 for children below 12 years as an entry fee.
“Tourist entry into canopy walk was restricted due to operational issues and monsoon. Now, the department and the operating agencies are gearing up to open it for public. The department is striving for the arrangement of basic amenities, which will be done within a couple of weeks,” said a forest official.
The Forest Department will involve local drivers to ship tourists from Castle Rock guest house to canopy walk. “Once the canopy walk is opened for public, the local people will get an opportunity to do business, including food and transport. The department will include them in the project, which will help them find livelihood,” added the official.