Ballari: Seeing the fertile green hills in the taluk sandbur, it is difficult to imagine this once a barren mine thick with dust and roar trucks and excavators.
The opening goals for trekkers and tourists, especially adventurous weekends, the view of wildlife now comes as a bonus.
Hills such as Byarava Teertha, Gandi Malayamma, Timmappanagudda, Taranath, Donimalai, Kumaraswamy, Narasimha Gandi Forest and Ramaghad offer a trekking route with beautiful views, in addition to the meadows to stop and rest.
The forest is also full of waterfalls, reservoirs, and other water bodies, and offers temples and pilgrims to stop by.
Trekker from Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Shivamogga, Mysuru and from neighboring countries such as Andhra Pradesh turned to Sanda, especially to take the monsoon.
Although only 60km from Ballari City, which is known for summer throughout the year, Sandaur remains cold throughout the year.
Sandur Summitters, a group of 30 members, traveled on various hills every weekend.
Srinivas Ramaghad, one of the founders, said there was no permanent trekking track at Sandur Hills.
“We have just explored a new route during trekking.
We have explored many lanes and reached the peak of many hills taking different routes.
On weekends, we saw Trekker in the age group 6-60 came here.
We have trekking for the past 20 years at Sandur Hills.
But after suspension of mining activities, they are covered in green like Western Ghats, “he said.
Mining began in the Verdant region in the 2000s and stopped about a decade ago.
Srinivas said the group had seen Leopard and four antelopes on a recent trip.
“So the trekker must be careful and do not use earphones when on track.
July to September is the best time for trekking here,” Srinivas said.
“Trekkers must show sensitivity.
A lot of garbage with plastic and other garbage.
Keeping the valley clean, green and plastic free it is important.” “My favorite is Bheema Teerth Hill for the view of Narihalla from Narihalla from above,” said Swinabanand Kottur, a trekker.
“Trekking in beautiful sandur valleys is an amazing experience.
This is a revelation because mining activities have stopped.”