Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary. File picture

Jamshedpur, Feb. 7: Trekking at the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary promises to be more adventurous in the days to come.

The Dalma wildlife authorities are currently engaged in developing a kilometre stretch on the range into a trekking road to give tourists an actual feel of a journey into dense forestland and at the same time see wildlife.

Unlike the existing facility where a trip to the interior of Dalma was only possible in jeeps, visitors flocking to the picturesque range would now be able to trek their way up to the deep woods.

“Designed with an aim to give tourists a feel of the safari, a few steps would be made to aid enthusiasts in reaching their way to the top of the range,” said Sushil Oraon, the Dalma range officer. The stretch has been made complete with a few low stone benches, which are placed along the way.

To ensure the safety of those trekking the range, a member of the forest department would accompany each group.

“Tourists need not fear sudden attacks by wild animals on their way as we would take all necessary precautions to safeguard them from all possible dangers and attack by animals,” said the range officer.

Risks would be minimal with the wildlife authorities taking note of the smallest of risks that a person can confront on his way through the Dalma range.

The need to develop a fresh stretch of land arouse after the existing stretch on the Makula Kocha range climbed up the popularity charts of visitors who trek their way through the forest cover.

The current trekking stretch on Makula Kocha is scattered over a kilometre area.

Apart from developing the Dalma range into a more adventurous place and visitor-friendly one, the wildlife authorities are also working on making the place a safer zone for tourists.

They have done a detailed survey to trace the route through which the elephants migrate throughout the year. This survey will be done to understand the way the elephants walk through the forest area.

The department will concentrate on the migratory route of the elephants over the last 10 years. This will enable the wildlife authorities to arrive at the actual pattern of their movement.

“Based on our findings, we would adopt precautionary measures to help tourists. We will install message boards on the road through the stretch. Tourists can plan their trekking accordingly if they want to see elephants or want to avoid them,” added the range officer. The forest department is banking on those who come to trek in Dalma to spread word-of-mouth publicity.

There are talks that more such stretches, on the range would be identified, in the days to come to ensure that the tourists enjoy their way to the top of the hills or deep inside the forest. “There is a lot of scope for development of the hilly terrain,” said the range officer.

A number of stretches along the range is being developed on the same lines.