How KC Venugopal’s Push Helped Intensify Search for Missing Kerala Trekker; She Is Safe Now

A missing trekker case in Karnataka's Kodagu district took a positive turn after a coordinated search effort-intensified following intervention by senior Congress leader K. C. Venugopal-led to the safe rescue of a Kerala woman who had been stranded in the forests for four days.

Sharanya G.S., a 36-year-old trekker from Kerala, had gone missing on April 2 while trekking in the dense forests near Tadiandamol. After losing contact with her group, she alerted her homestay that she had strayed off the trail, triggering concern and a search operation in the region.

As the situation gained attention, K. C. Venugopal raised the issue with the Karnataka government, urging swift action to locate the missing trekker. His intervention, along with concern expressed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, led to a significant escalation in search operations.

Initially, five teams comprising around 50 personnel-including police, forest officials, anti-Naxal forces, and a dog squad-were deployed to comb the challenging terrain. However, after directions from top leadership, the operation was expanded on April 5, with additional manpower and drone support brought in. The number of search teams increased to nine, improving coverage across the forest area.

The breakthrough came the same day when a joint team of Forest Department staff and members of the local Kudiya tribal community located Sharanya roughly six kilometres from the peak. Officials confirmed that she was in stable condition, having survived by drinking water and sheltering near rocks during the nights.

Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre praised the resilience shown by the trekker and acknowledged the critical role played by local tribal communities in navigating the forest terrain. He also highlighted the coordination between multiple agencies that worked round the clock during the operation.

The incident underscored the challenges posed by poor mobile connectivity in forest regions, which delayed efforts to pinpoint Sharanya's exact location. Despite this, authorities credited the intensified and coordinated response-triggered in part by timely political intervention-for ensuring a successful outcome.

Sharanya, who had travelled from Kerala for the trek, is now being safely escorted back home. The episode has drawn attention to both the risks associated with trekking in remote areas and the importance of swift administrative response when emergencies arise.