To create awareness among the masses about the importance of wildlife and nature, a senior forest department official, Nanasaheb Ladkat, who was promoted as Conservator of Forests (CF) and Field Director of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, in Western Maharashtra, took charge after cycling from Pune to Kolhapur. He covered 249 km in around 12 hours.

Born in a farmer’s family, in Karwadi village, near Kopargaon taluka in Ahmednagar district, Ladkat joined the Maharashtra Forest Department services on January 1, 1986, and developed an interest in nature trails, trekking and exploring the forest. Since then, he has been regularly exploring new places. In his 36 years of service, he has trekked to over 35 forts and has also done foot patrolling for several hundred kilometres.