Grand Launch of the 8th Edition of Pedal-to-Jungle

Udaipur: The 8th edition of *Pedal-to-Jungle*, aimed at promoting eco-tourism in Rajasthan, was launched on Friday from the Fatehsagar Pal under the joint collaboration of the Green People Society, Forest Department, Tourism Department, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India. Renowned wildlife expert, Rajasthan Wildlife Board member, and former NTCA member, Rajpal Singh Shekhawat, flagged off the ride and wished the participants success in this exciting journey.

In his address, Shekhawat praised the natural wealth of the Vagad-Mewar region and emphasized that events like *Pedal-to-Jungle* will help showcase this rich heritage to the world. He encouraged all the cyclists to share their experiences from the journey. At the beginning of the event, Rahul Bhatnagar, President of the Green People Society, welcomed the guests and provided information about the arrangements made for the convenience of the participants.

After the flag-off, the cyclists began their journey from the Devali Chhor and cycled through Fatehsagar and other prominent locations in the city, eventually returning to the overflow side of Fatehsagar. During this time, guests distributed 50 eco-friendly carry bags from the Anuvrat Committee, caps and t-shirts from WWF, and Guddi bags.

Among the attendees were retired IAS officer Vikram Singh Chauhan, retired CCF IPS Matharu, DFO Mukesh Saini, Pratap Singh Chundawat, OP Sharma, Sohel Mazboor, VS Rana, Sharad Srivastava, Indrajeet Mathur, Dr. Lalit Joshi, Arun Soni, Anuvrat Committee President Pranita Telesra, Vice President Rajendra Sen, Minister Kundan Bhatewara, Karan Singh Kataria, Shashi Mehta, KS Nalwaya, and others.

**Details of the Two-Day Event:**

Rahul Bhatnagar, President of the Green People Society, mentioned that the event, which will continue until 22 December, will provide participants from across the country an opportunity to experience the scenic beauty and natural landscapes of the Aravalli hills in the Mewar-Vagad region. The cyclists will spend the night at various natural and picturesque locations. The second day's journey will begin from the Delwada Forest Gate in the Ghatal Range of Banswara district, where the Chief Guest, Banswara’s Superintendent of Police Harshvardhan Agarwala, along with the Chief Forest Conservator of Banswara, Abhishek Sharma, will flag off the next leg of the journey.

On the morning of 22 December, the third day of the event will start from Chachakota near the Mahi Dam, where retired IAS officer Vikram Singh and Joint Director of the Information and Public Relations Department, Dr. Kamlesh Sharma, will address the participants and send them off for the next phase of their journey. The program will conclude with a closing ceremony and certificate distribution at the Shyampura Forest Block in Banswara. The event's chief guests will include IG Mrs. S. Parimala, Banswara District Collector Indrajeet Yadav, and CCF Udaipur Sunil Chhetri, along with former royal family member Jagmal Singh.