Chandaka Green Marathon Brings Running and Wildlife Conservation Together

Bhubaneswar: Running through forest tracks instead of city roads, participants of the first Chandaka Green Marathon took to the Chandaka-Bharatpur forest landscape on Sunday, combining fitness with a message on wildlife conservation and habitat protection.

Organised as part of the 72nd Wildlife Week celebrations, the marathon featured 5 km, 10 km and 21 km categories, giving runners an opportunity to experience the forest landscape around Chandaka and Ekamra Kanan in a setting different from a conventional road race. The 21 km run was designed as three loops of around 7 km each.

The event was inaugurated by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department Principal Secretary Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma. PCCF (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Prem Kumar Jha, Odisha State Pollution Control Board Member Secretary Manoj V. Nair, senior forest officials, nature enthusiasts and runners attended the event.

Held under the theme “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife”, the marathon sought to underline the close connection between healthy ecosystems and human well-being. The message “Run for Nature” and “Run for a Wilder Tomorrow” was used to encourage participants to see conservation as a shared responsibility.

With a substantial part of the route passing through forest stretches, organisers placed particular emphasis on responsible behaviour. Runners were advised to stay on designated routes, avoid littering and maintain silence in forest areas. They were also asked not to disturb wildlife or vegetation and to follow directions from forest officials and race marshals.

The organisers sought to use the event to demonstrate how sporting activities and nature appreciation can be combined without compromising the surrounding habitat.

Students, young people, runners, nature enthusiasts and citizens took part in the marathon, bringing together participants from different backgrounds around the message of protecting forests and wildlife.

The 72nd Wildlife Week is being observed to raise public awareness about wildlife and biodiversity conservation and encourage greater participation in protecting Odisha’s forests, natural ecosystems and wildlife habitats.