To promote responsible adventure tourism, the Department of Tourism Kashmir in collaboration with J&K Mountaineering and Hiking Club (JKMHC) conducted a cleanliness drive along Chandanwari to Sheshnag Lake trail and collected waste products and garbage.Around 30 member team of JKMHC took part in the cleanliness drive on October 30. The team was led by hiker Nawab Moazam Khan.The team trekked 7 kilometers from Chandanwari to Sheshnag during which they collected polythene bags, wrappers, plastic bottles and other refuse.The garbage was handed over to the J&K Pahalgam Development Authority for proper disposal.Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood Shah who is also the president of JKMHC said the cleanliness drive is necessary to keep environment clean and preserve fragile ecology.
He said during summers the trekking routes in Kashmir receive huge rush of hikers and it was mandatory to organize cleanliness drive to aware the people about the importance of preserving environment.“It is our collective responsibility to preserve our environment. The drive will also create awareness among the masses about keeping the environment clean,” said Shah.Director Tourism Kashmir informed that the department has jointly carried out several such cleaning drives with JKMHC in the past and they will carry similar drive along Baltal trail.“We are committed to promote responsible adventure tourism in the state.”Earlier also the department organised such drives at tourist resorts like Gulmarg, Aharbal and TRC as part of the nation-wide Swachhata Hi Seva mission.