Chandaka Cycle Trail: The Woods Are Lovely, Dark And Deep…

Bhubaneswar: It seems to be adventure time in the Odisha capital with people renewing their interest in the city they have grown up in. They are out to explore places where they have never been before, largely due to the initiative taken by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA).

The latest is Chandaka Cycle Trail, in which a group of six cyclists went deep into the serene forests of Chandaka, often referred to as “the carbon sink’’ of the Twin Cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. The trail began this weekend in collaboration with Eco Tour of the Forest Department and Playbook Consultancy under the Bhubaneswar Nature Walk. This trail is part of the .FEST or Bhubaneswar City Festival.

Deep in the heart of the Chandaka Forest, is a temple dedicated to the Goddess of the Forest. The cycle trail aims at learning more about the importance of the reserve, flora and fauna. The Chandaka Cycle Trail will be held every Sunday at 6 am.

Chandaka, nature’s wonder just a little more than 20 kilometres from the city, boasts of an impressive collection of 730 species of plants, 39 species of mammals, 252 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 39 species of reptiles, 19 species of fishes and 7 species of invertebrates. With the river Mahanadi on its side, the scene inside the forest with numerous water bodies makes the surrounding unique.

Binod from Utkal University of Culture, who was one of the participants said, “The Chandaka experience on cycle was unique. I would request people from all walks of life to come and join the initiative. It is wonderful to experience something thing just on the outskirts of the city.’’