The police officials of Bankal and Baluru stations in Mudigere taluk of Chikkamagaluru district, on Saturday, stopped visitors from Bengaluru, who were planning to do trekking in the forests near Bidarthala village in Mudigere taluk, without permission.The police, after receiving information about more than 100 people from Bengaluru reaching Kottigehara for a trekking expedition, stopped their vehicles and insisted they return. People working in the IT sector reportedly planned the expedition with the assistance of a few locals.Bankal PSI Renuka and Balur PSI Dileep Kumar told the team that it was risky to trek in the stretch during heavy rains. Moreover, the team had no permission from the Forest Department to enter the forest area.Ends/Published - July 27, 2025 06:58 pm IST