CM flags off trekking expedition, first in 20 years
By News Agency of Kashmir,
Jammu : As part of the ongoing fortnight long Jammu Festival, the Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, flagged off Heritage Trek Expedition from Mongri to Mantalai here this morning, describing Jammu & Kashmir as a trekker’s paradise.
As many as 35 trekkers are participating in the 7-day expedition which is the first of the 35 such expeditions being organised by the Youth Hostels Association of India, J&K Branch in collaboration with the State Tourism department on this trek.
Minister of State for Tourism, G. M. Saroori, President, Youth Hostels Association of India and Chairman J&K Public Service Commission, M. S. Pandit, MLC, Ashok Sharma, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Sudhanshu Panday, Director Tourism, Jammu, Ajay Khajuria, Director Education, Jammu, A. K. Raina and President, Youth Hostels Association of India, J&K Branch, S. P. Verma were present.
The expedition flagged off today also included foreign trekkers besides some NRIs, apart from the State and different parts of the country. The expedition will pass through Mongri, Nathatop, Patnitop, Gaurikund and Sudhmahadev before culminating at Mantalai.
The trek offers fantastic view of heritage sites, meadows, lofty mountains, thick deodar forests, gushing water springs, brooks and scenic spots.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Jammu & Kashmir is a trekkers’ paradise which fascinates them so much that they do not want to be detached from the scene. He said the State is full of wonderful trekking routes especially in Ladakh that attract
foreign trekkers in large numbers. He said adventure tourism in the State has a great potential and it is matter of pleasure that trekking is receiving focused attention after a gap of two decades. He complimented the Youth Hostels Association of India, especially its
President for reviving this adventure sport in the State.
The Chief Minister welcomed blending of the trekking expeditions with the 15-day Jammu Festival, adding it will further promote tourism activities in Jammu province. He said this year the annual Jammu Festival has been extended from three days to fifteen days. The mega event, he added, has also been extended to the entire province instead of being limited to the capital city or, at the most, to district Jammu. He said many events have been added to the festival this year, making it very successful.
In his address, M. S. Pandit described the flagging of the expedition as a momentous occasion. He said the trekking expedition was revived after 20 years. He gave a brief history of the trekking initiative taken by the Youth Hostels Association of India with which he is
associated since 1976 when these expeditions in the State were started from Doda. He also dwelt on the movement of Youth Hostels and said that there are 4500 youth hostels across the globe.
Earlier, the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu spoke about the ongoing Jammu Festival. He said this year many organizations have been roped in to make the Jammu Festival a major success. He said the trekking expedition launched today is very significant as it combines
education, integration and exposure to local culture and heritage.