Srinagar, Dec 10 (KNS): The Tourism Department is all set to celebrate this year’s International Mountain Day with enhanced festivity and colours and has planned many side events to mark the event, making it truly memorable.

In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), a spokesperson said that this year the theme of International Mountain Day is Sustainable Mountain Tourism. 

“Sustainable mountain tourism contributes to create additional and alternative livelihood options and helps in poverty alleviation and social inclusion,” reads the statement. 

It reads that the Tourism Department, on the occasion, has planned many activities like release of trekking maps of offbeat destinations, screening of documentary films on Mount Everest, involving local climbers, and Sustainable Mountain Tourism.

“Besides, a winter trek from Naranag to Marchoi has been planned for today. Also a snow cycling and ATV race would be flagged off at skiing destination Gulmarg. E flagging of wall climbing wall at Tourist Reception Centre, Nowgam has also been planned by the Department.” 

It reads that the Department has also pitched tented structures and put up a gallery depicting mountaineering through visual medium for the visitors. “The Department is also holding a photographic competition among youth regarding mountaineering which has generated interest among them.”

It reads that the Kashmir Valley this year has been receiving tremendous tourist arrivals which has been the result of sustained efforts by the Department in terms of capacity building of stakeholders, forceful promotion and massive vaccination programmes over the past year or so.

“In the coming days, the Department is planning to celebrate Christmas and New Year with renewed fanfare and festivity,” it reads. (KNS)