Wednesday, August 28, 2024 Travelers planning to explore the trekking spots in Karnataka, particularly in the Chikkamagaluru region, should be aware of a recent scam involving fraudulent entry tickets. The Forest Department has taken swift action against a Kalasa Deputy Zonal Forest Officer, Chandan Gowda Dyamana Gowda, who has been accused of selling fake tickets to trekkers at popular locations. This incident underscores the need for caution when booking trekking permits and highlights the potential impact on the travel industry, both locally and globally.
The Scam Uncovered The fraudulent activities were brought to light when a trekker, who had not booked a ticket online, arrived at one of the trekking sites. This prompted an investigation by the forest department officials, leading to the discovery of discrepancies between the official online booking records and the on-site registration book. It was revealed that Chandan Gowda had allegedly created over 10 counterfeit tickets for trekking spots such as Rani Zari and Ballalarayana Durga in Mudigere taluk.
These fake tickets were reportedly sold online, with the proceeds being transferred to an individual named Monika via PhonePe. Suspension and Investigation In response to the findings, the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) conducted an investigation, confirming that the officer had indeed engaged in fraudulent activities. The investigation report, submitted to Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Upendra Pratap Singh, .