Koraput: As part of Parab 2025, the Koraput district administration on Saturday organised a mountain trekking competition at the scenic Kalia Mali Hill near Jhadipadar in Bijaghati Panchayat of Narayanpatna block. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from youth and students across the district.
District Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan arrived ahead of schedule and formally flagged off the competition from Bijaghati, inaugurating the trekking programme. All participants were provided Parab T-shirts and took part in the competition by traversing a challenging three-kilometre hilly route.
The Collector remained present throughout the event, encouraging the participants and interacting with them. Several dignitaries attended the programme, including Block Chairman Goladi Trinath, Vice Chairman Rinudas, Sarpanch Piliba Shirika and other local representatives.
Addressing the gathering, the Collector expressed his gratitude to the block administration, youth groups and volunteers for their cooperation in successfully organising the trekking competition at Kalia Mali Hill. He said the district administration has initiated multiple development measures to transform Kalia Mali Hill into a prominent tourist destination. A detailed blueprint has been prepared focusing on the development of local youth groups, women and the surrounding area.
Highlighting the growing popularity of the location, the Collector noted that Kalia Mali Hill has already become a preferred scouting spot for album shoots and Tollywood film productions. He expressed optimism that big-budget filmmakers may explore the area in the near future and said the hill would soon feature prominently on Koraput’s tourism map.
Despite the intense cold, youth groups and students from Semiliguda, Koraput, Sunabeda and Bijaghati Panchayat participated with great enthusiasm, contributing to the success of the event. The Collector specially thanked them for their spirited involvement.
At the conclusion of the competition, successful participants were felicitated with medals and certificates. Koraput Superintendent of Police Rohit Verma delivered the vote of thanks.
The mountain trekking competition is part of the larger Parab 2025 celebrations, Odisha’s flagship tribal cultural festival in Koraput, which includes sports events, trekking, cultural dances and other activities at panchayat, block and district levels. The festival will culminate in a grand finale scheduled from December 18 to 22, 2025.
Kalia Mali Hill, also known as Kaliamali or Kalya Mali, is emerging as a scenic destination in the region, gaining recognition for its natural beauty and increasing appeal for tourism and film shoots.
