Seminar, Mountain Biking, Sport Climbing organized to mark the day
SRINAGAR- The International Mountain Day- 2020 was celebrated with great fervor by the Adventure lovers in Kashmir Valley with the main function organized by the Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir at TRC, Srinagar.
Hundreds of Adventure lovers, boys and girls participated in the Seminar organized by the Directorate of Tourism Kashmir at TRC Hall, Srinagar. During the seminar, various short films were screened to showcase the potential of adventure tourism in the valley.
Aparna Kumar (IPS) was the chief guest on the occasion. Born in 1974, Aparna Kumar is an IPS Officer of 2002 batch of Uttar Pradesh Cadre. She is a proud recipient of the prestigious Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2018 for her outstanding mountaineering achievements, presented to her by the Hon’ble President of India.
She is the 1st woman Indian Police Service (IPS) officer to complete “Seven Summits” Challenge. After successfully conquering the South and North Poles, She scaled the highest peak in North America, Mount Denali to achieve the rear feat. She is an inspiration to women of India and the world.
On the occasion Kumar said Kashmir is blessed with majestic mountains which makes it one of the top destinations for mountain based adventure activities. She also spoke about her journey with mountaineering. She said a strong resolve, focus and commitment is needed to achieve the unthinkable and keep on going forward despite failures to reach your goals. She was very impressed by the presence of a large number of girls amongst the participants and said that adventure knows no gender “If one has the passion and will, nothing is impossible,” she said. She also exhorted on preserving mountain bio diversity by practicing sustainable tourism and adventure tourism activities. Aparna Kumar said she would also promote Kashmir’s adventure among countrymen and urge them to visit Kashmir for experiencing mountains like here.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Tourism, Nisar Ahmad Wani highlighted the Mountain Biodiversity of Kashmir and the various forms of Tourism activities associated with Mountains. Wani said the department has been conducting various mountain based sports and nature activities to promote adventure sports among local youth. He said besides other tourism products, adventure tourism in Kashmir has immense potential for which the department has been promoting it outside JK through print and electronic media, social media besides participating in travel trade meets. On the occasion, he also assured full support to local associations and youth in the promotion of eco-friendly mountain based activities.
International Mountain Day was celebrated with fervor in Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam. On Saturday, Snow Cycling Slalom at Gulmarg, Ski Mountaineering at Kongdori will also be held as part of the International Mountain Day Celebration. The programmes were organized by Directorate of Tourism Kashmir in association with J&K Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) | Jammu and Kashmir Mountaineering and Hiking Club (JKMHC) | Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir ( ATOAK) | Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering (JIM) | JK Mountain Biking Association (JK MBA) | Jammu and Kashmir Ski Mountaineering Association (JK SMA). Besides a large number of adventure enthusiasts, the representatives from travel trade also participated in the function.
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