E-passes Proposed to Regulate Tourism in Kodagu Amid Overcrowding and Ecological Stress

Kodagu is known for its scenic beauty and coffee plantations. (Image used for representative purpose only.)

Bengaluru: To address the growing environmental concerns and rising human-wildlife conflicts in Kodagu, the Karnataka Western Ghats Conservation Taskforce (KSWGCTF) has proposed the introduction of an e-pass system to regulate tourist inflow into the district.

According to the Report on Assessing the Carrying Capacity of the Western Ghats in Karnataka September 2025 (Revised), Kodagu receives around 1.3 million visitors every year, far exceeding its ecological capacity. The taskforce, according to a news report in TNIE, noted that the pressure from over-tourism, coupled with expansion in plantations, has made the district climatologically fragile and prone to natural disasters.

The 123-page report, recently submitted to the Chief Minister, recommends a set of measures including introducing e-passes for tourists, restoring 500 hectares of forest land, and promoting agroforestry to ensure sustainable development. The report also highlighted that over 1,000 landslide incidents were recorded in the last decade across Kodagu, Shivamogga, and Chikkamagaluru, resulting in losses amounting to ₹350 crore since 2014.

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It further observed that unregulated mushrooming of homestays and resorts near forest areas has intensified man-animal conflicts. Despite a moratorium on new licenses for the past three years, the number of such accommodations has continued to grow, suggesting widespread violations.

As quoted in TNIE, Mohammed Tabrez Alam Shariff, Chairman of KSWGCTF, said, “We have not approved any new homestays or resorts recently, yet their numbers are increasing. This clearly indicates violations that must be addressed immediately.”

The taskforce has decided to recommend that KSWGCTF be included in the State Wildlife Board to help coordinate between the tourism, forest, and district administrations. Shariff pointed out that several projects cleared by forest clearance committees and the wildlife board later face public opposition, underscoring the need for greater stakeholder participation before forwarding proposals to the Union government and the National Board for Wildlife.

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