The Department of Tourism Kashmir in collaboration with J&K Mountaineering and Hiking Club (JKMHC) celebrated International and Mountain day here at SKICC.The International Mountain Day (IMD) is organized every year on December 11 worldwide to create awareness about the sustainable mountain development.The theme for this year’s mountain day was "Mountain Cultures: Celebrating diversity and strengthening identity".Secretary Tourism, Farooq A Shah was the chief guest on the occasion.He highlighted the importance of adventure tourism and sports. “Nature has gifted this place with unparallel beauty which we can’t compare to any part of the India,” he said.Shah said Kashmir Valley has great potential for adventure tourism. “Adventure tourists are high spending tourists. We have all tourism products especially in adventure. Government is also making every effort to utilize adventure tourism potential,” he said.He said around 40 to 50 lakh people in the state are associated with this industry which needs to be promoted.President of Indian Mountaineering Federation (IMF) Col H S Chauhan (Retd) was the guest of honor.
Speaking on the occasion, Col Chauhan who is also a veteran mountaineer himself said Kashmir is blessed with natural and unparalleled beauty.He urged the state government to involve youth in mountaineering which will help them generate livelihood.Col Chauhan also offered help to the state government from IMF with regard to promoting mountaineering.He said the places like Manali offer just one tenth of what Kashmir has to offer. “I have spent lot of time in Kashmir and travelled and trekked to most part of it. Kashmir has got everything to offer for adventure lovers. The government needs to promote adventure tourism among the youth,” said Chauhan.Speaking on the occasion Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah said Kashmir has significant importance for adventure tourism.He said the department is celebrating the Day to create awareness among masses especially students about the importance of mountains which surround us.In the first half of the day, Banff movies were showcased at SKICC auditorium.
In the second half, J&KMHC gave their own presentations.The movies showed how the top mountaineers in the world have scaled many mountain peaks around the world.The movies on mountaineering expeditions in Kashmir were also screened which were appreciated by the viewers.On the occasion, the department of tourism and JKMHC gave away annual Prof Hamid Award of Excellence.The department also recognized the services of this recently retired officer Naseer Ahmad by Life Time Achievement Award.A book titled Mountain Man authored by Imtiyaz Ahmad was also released on the occasion.Director Tourism Kashmir said the department is gearing up to conduct many adventure sports activities in the winter which include ice-climbing in Pahalgam, ice-skating and snow skiing in Gulmarg.Large number of students, mountaineers and travel trade fraternity participated in the daylong event.