Bhubaneswar, Jan. 5: Adventure lovers get ready for a first-hand experience as the Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary is all set to launch a weekend training programme for students shortly.

The curriculum includes rock climbing, rappelling and river crossing among many others.

The authorities had organised an introductory camp at Godibari village near the sanctuary gate in the last week of December - in which 26 people had taken part.

The authorities were supposed to start a full-fledged programme on the New Year day, but the inclement weather condition has been holding them back.

Manoj Mohapatra, divisional forest officer of the sanctuary, said the programme would begin shortly. 'We have collaborated with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. Plan is to attract youths to try their hand at adventure sports. The training programme will be held on Saturdays and Sundays. Among other things, participants will also be taught the techniques of crossing river basins,' he said.

Godibari village near the entrance to the wildlife sanctuary, known for elephants, is ideal for such activities. There is also a medicinal plant garden near the entrance.

Students from various schools in the city and other districts had taken part in the camp held on December 23. 'Students of Sai International and Delhi Public School took part in it. Besides, children from Kantabada near Chandaka, Similipal in Mayurbhanj and Puri also took part in the camp,' Mohapatra said.

Three rock-climbing trainers from Shimla, Calcutta and Bhubaneswar and four from the wildlife division of the forest department trained the students at the camp.

'In future, students will also get assistance from local youths, who are being trained by the master trainers,' a forest official said.

Sakti Prasanna Mohanty, a teacher from DAV Public School, Pokhariput, said: 'We want to give our students an opportunity to learn adventure sports and will take them to attend the weekend training programmes on rock-climbing, rappelling and river crossing.'

Adisha Tripathy, a student of St Joseph High School, said: 'Adventure sports and activities should be encouraged as these prepare students to take on greater challenges in life. It also helps those, who aim to be mountaineers, learn the nuances of climbing.'

The first training programme in December was conducted for free. In future, each has to pay Rs 100 per activity. 'Students will have to undergo a medical test before taking part in the programme,' said a sanctuary official.