With a view to creating awareness among people about the need for protecting environment, four visionary Nepalese cyclists are in Bangladesh now as part of their global tour.      

The team aims to cycle around 100 countries in five years to drum up world support for the cause. 

The four-member team comprising Ajit Baral, Surendra Sharma, Saroj Gurung and Yam Gurung started the journey on June 5 and entered Bangladesh on June 29. On Saturday, the team paid a courtesy visit to The Daily Star office to share their vision.

While talking with this correspondent, Ajit said it all started in September 2015 when he along with his brother Dr Amrit Baral embarked on a cycling adventure to spread awareness about environment.

He said they had traversed the breadth of Nepal and another 16 countries before heading back home after a year and a half on the trail.

“I was missing my son and there was a big festival in Nepal; therefore, we could not resist heading back home,” said Ajit.

He resumed the journey in June this year with support from a Nepalese NGO named "Dirghayu Nepal". But Amrit withdrew himself from it to continue his education, said Ajit, adding that three others -- Surendra, Saroj and Yam -- had joined him in the meantime.  

With the motto “Save the environment to save the world & awareness against drug addiction”, the four-member cyclist team entered Bangladesh through Benapole border and had travelled through Madaripur, Pabna, among other places. They reached the capital via Gabtoli.  

In Dhaka, the team participated in a clean-up programme at Osmani Uddyan and took part in a human chain programme against chikungunya -- a viral disease that is being spread by Aedes mosquitoes.

While talking with this correspondent, Ajit never forgot to deliver the message they are up to.

“…Bangladesh and Nepal are connected. If the snowcaps of the Himalayas melt due to rising temperature, many parts of Bangladesh will go under water,” he said. “Try and ride a bicycle once a week and you will see what a big change you can bring. Burn fat and not fuel!”

The group will leave Bangladesh for Myanmar tomorrow.