Nandapur: Age is no barrier for sports enthusiasts, as proved by a quinquagenarian range officer of the Forest department in Koraput district. Badal Kumar Mohanty, 59, a range officer of Balda forest range comprising 12 panchayats under Nandapur block, has proved the adage right.
Mohanty has won four gold medals in the zonal-level sports competition organised by the state Forest department in Bhawanipatna. He secured first position in the 400m, 800m, 1,500m, and 10,000m walking events. More than 25 forest divisions from across Odisha participated in the meet.
The Forest department has recently tightened its foot-walking rules, requiring every officer to cover a fixed distance on foot during inspections and submit reports. Mohanty’s daily practice of walking through the forest and his long field experience helped him clinch victory, he said.
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Set to retire March 31, 2026, Mohanty has been hailed as a “fit ranger” by colleagues. Officials from Balda range and the Koraput forest division congratulated him on his achievement.
PNN
