In a first in Pilibhit, tiger reserve sponsors safari for physically challenged students

PILIBHIT: In a first-ever event of its kind, a free safari was organised for physically challenged students from govt primary and upper primary schools at the Pilibhit tiger reserve on Wednesday.The event, titled "Divya Darshan", jointly organised by the reserve authorities and the basic education department, aimed at inclusivity and ensuring equal opportunities for physically challenged children to connect with nature and conservation. A total of 110 children, accompanied by their parents and 52 teachers, participated in the programme, with 25 safari vehicles, each with a seating capacity of nine, arranged for them.Basic education coordinator, Rakesh Patel, told TOI that the students included children with speech and hearing impairment as well as orthopaedic disabilities. Expressing excitement at the opportunity, the students said the safari was an inimitable and memorable experience as it was their first time witnessing wildlife in the jungle.Divisional forest officer Manish Singh said, "We intend to communicate a message to the children as well as the society that physical disability can never overshadow the journey of success if a person is swayed by optimism and passion. Challenges are put in our way not to stop us but to summon our courage and inner strength." He added that the children would later be offered the chance to serve as brand ambassadors for the reserve's programmes.The DFO also said the event will not only be replicated in the coming years but a special session for physically challenged students will also be organised at the reserve headquarters with audio-visual presentations on various species – from carnivores and herbivores to reptiles, birds and insects – aimed at transforming the students into wildlife experts.Field director of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Saket Badola, who attended the event as chief guest, lauded the initiative as "unique". "We will also arrange the same at Corbett tiger reserve," he said.