Environmental activist Giridhar Kulkarni has urged the regional commissioner and forest department officials to immediately stop tourism activities and illegal drone operations at Chikhale Waterfalls, which falls within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kulkarni has written to Belagavi Regional Commissioner Janaki KM, who chairs the ESZ monitoring committee of Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, and to Deputy Conservator of Forests NE Kranthi, the committee’s member secretary. In his letter, he called for an immediate suspension of tourism, a detailed probe, site inspection, and strict action against illegal drone usage and the growing violations in the Chikhale Falls region amid increasing human–wildlife conflicts.
He pointed out a series of rising violations in the Chikhale Falls area near Kanakumbi in Khanapur taluk, located within the sanctuary’s ESZ. Despite clear restrictions on public drone activity, tourists continue to operate drones and upload videos on social media, he said. According to him, ESZ rules are being openly violated, with several drone clips circulating widely online.
Kulkarni added that the situation is worsening as the Kanakumbi Range has seen rising human–wildlife conflicts, including repeated sloth bear attacks in Kanakumbi, Chigule, Huland, Maan, and surrounding areas. Instead of reducing disturbance in these sensitive zones, unregulated tourism at Chikhale Falls is aggravating the problem.
He further noted that extensive media coverage has repeatedly exposed regulatory lapses and persistent violations in the area, including rampant drone usage, unmanaged tourist inflow, and disregard for basic safety measures, issues highlighted by both regional and national media.
Given the ecological sensitivity of the Bhimgad ESZ and the escalating human–wildlife conflicts, Kulkarni stressed that urgent, decisive measures are needed to protect wildlife, ensure public safety, and uphold the ESZ notification.
