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Loot on trekking routes

Many cases of robbery, even before season begins, put enthusiasts in a fix.

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Trekkers beware. Those seeking the rush of adrenaline and adventure this monsoon may get more than what they bargained for on a trek. Even before trekking season officially sets in, incidents of looting and robbery have been reported from the interiors of Nashik district, the most favoured destination in the Sahyadris for trekkers.
A group from Vainateya trekking and mountaineering organisation were looted on a trek to Harihargadh, in the interiors of Trimbakeshwar area last Sunday. “We parked our two-wheelers in the ghats near the village of Take Harsh, but when we returned we found that our luggage carriers had been broken and our valuables robbed. The vehicles too were damaged,” said Prashant Pardeshi, one of the trekkers. “We are regular trekkers and are well acquainted with the area. The villagers have always been helpful so far. We suspect some youngsters in the village, but we can’t say for sure.”

The group informed the police patil in Aswali Harsh hamlet. Vainateya has submitted a memorandum to Dr Nikhil Gupta, superintendent of police (Nashik rural), demanding safety for trekkers in the region.

Trekkers from Getout, another adventure organisation, who had planed a rappling camp at the Duggarwadi waterfall near Kachurli village in Nashik, faced a similar harrowing experience.

While the rappling activity was conducted at the falls, the campsite was based near Kachurli village. “When we returned, we saw our belongings strewn about the tent, five mobiles and up to Rs7,000 in cash were also missing,” said Ashwin Aghor, member of Getout.

Fortunately, the group managed to get back Rs4,500 and four mobiles from the villagers, after they beseeched the villagers for help in tracking the robber. “We have been trekking around Nashik for years, but such incidents have started occurring only recently,” said Aghor.

A few weeks ago, some trekkers from Mumbai on their expedition to the mountains in Igatpuri were also robbed.

Nashik has some of the most challenging and best trekking destinations and forts, which lure trekkers from across Maharashtra. “Young IT employees from Pune, Mumbai etc have taken up trekking in a big way, but are unaware of the precautions they should take, leading to rise in cases of looting,” said Arun Sawant, founder, Camp Fire India, who has been trekking since 1974.

“It is always beneficial to befriend villagers. They are the first to arrive to help in case of any mishap, whether it is a fracture or a robbery,” explained Sachin Gunjal, a trekker.
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