Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 12: Tawi Trekkers J&K in collaboration with Directorate of Tourism Jammu organised short trek from Panthal to Devi Pindian, near the holy town of Katra on the occasion of ‘International Mountain Day’.
The motive of short trek was to aware people about the importance of mountains wherein a group of 22 members including five girls participated.
The group led by Vivek Chauhan, Principal of Oriental Academy Senior Secondary School Jammu was flagged off by Neelam Khajuria, Joint Director Tourism Jammu in presence of Ambika Bali, Assistant Director Tourism.
Both the officers also participated in the day long trek. Prominent among the participants included Ram Khajuria, president and senior members of Tawi Trekkers, Sumit Khajuria, Sushil Singh, Sonam Sidharth and Manik Slathia besides International sport climbers Shivani Charak, Arun Deep and Shilpa Charak and Sanjeev Sharma, executive editor Sportsline were also a part of the group.
Earlier, Vinay Khajuria, Divisional Forest Officer delivered a lecture on the importance of mountain diversity. He apprised the young trekkers about the role the mountains for providing us fresh water, food, clean energy and of course recreation also. He also cautioned about modern development in the shape of roads, building of concrete jungles, unsustainable farming practices, logging, poaching and commercial mining are causing heavy damage to mountain diversity.
He asked the participants to celebrate the International Mountain Day by raising awareness in the public about these issues.
The Joint Director apprised the trekkers that the development of this area is under very active consideration of the Government and soon there shall be a proper road and all the allied facilities.