Sambalpur: As many as 22 professional hikers from across the country took part in first 3-day hiking expedition with camping organised in Odisha’s Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary focussing nature and wildlife.
The hikers, who were from 12 states and union territories, traversed through 20 km of rugged terrain at Debrigarh encompassing the valleys, hills, grasslands and islands. They had previously trekked in India and abroad, including in the Himalayas.
The expedition was part of the nature education programme of Hirakud Wildlife Division conducted in collaboration of India Hikes, a popular trekking community of the country.
On the first day, they trekked up to an altitude of 500 metre and camped at Ranibasa at night. The next day, the hikers continued their expedition through mountains and valleys and reached Bat Island. The night halt was at the much talked about ‘Cattle Island’ inside the Hirakud Dam.
“Trained naturalists accompanied the hikers for three days, explaining the animal and bird diversity of the sanctuary. Different activities such as connect with nature and talking to the trees were also conducted during the trek conducted in an eco-friendly manner with zero plastic and zero litter left behind at camping spots and hiking routes,” said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Wildlife, Anshu Pragyan Das.
It was for the first time that night camping was organised at Cattle Island, she said, adding that limited bio-toilets were also used in three days hiking.
