RAIPUR: Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) organised a 10-km “Run for Hornbills” across Ondh and Amlor villages on Tuesday as part of Wildlife Week 2026, aiming to create awareness about protecting the Malabar Pied Hornbill and its natural habitat.
Located at an elevation of nearly 2,500 feet, Ondh and Amlor villages are home to hundreds of Malabar Pied Hornbills. Around 250 participants took part in the event, including forest officials, frontline staff from all eight ranges of the reserve, local residents and nature enthusiasts.
The run began at Baniyadhas Waterfall and concluded at Karipagar Waterfall, another important habitat of the bird species.
Gariaband Collector Ranbir Sharma, USTR Field Director Gurunathan N, Forest Department Special Secretary Dhammashil Ganveer and USTR Deputy Director Varun Jain attended the event along with forest personnel and villagers.
Hornbills play an important role in forest ecosystems by dispersing seeds and also act as indicators of forest health. The reserve management has undertaken several measures to strengthen the protection of the species while involving local communities.
The reserve had earlier established “Hornbill Restaurants” to conserve fruit-bearing trees, particularly Ficus species, ensuring a year-round food supply for the birds. It also introduced a “Hornbill Safari” in Central India to promote eco-tourism and create local income opportunities.
In the women’s category, forest guards Pameshwari, Lalita and Rinki Joshi, along with Tikeshwari from Ondh village, received awards. In the veteran category, Gariaband Collector Ranbir Sharma secured first place, while USTR Field Director Gurunathan N stood second and Kejuram Korche finished third.
Forest officials said wildlife conservation requires direct community participation to remain sustainable. They added that such public events help strengthen local ownership of forest and wildlife protection.
