Waris Fayaz
Sopore, Feb 13 (KNS): Since times immemorial, women have had to fight stereotypes and it is not uncommon even today to see girls being encouraged to be polite, while boys are not only allowed but expected to be boisterous and rowdy.
To over come such stereotypes Sopore girls have set and example by trekking 14 kms along Rampora-Rajpora hills in Sopore.
In order to boost the confidence of female gender Mountain Warriors Trekking and Hiking Club in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Forest department organised a trekking, starting from the Montane EcoPark Rampora-Rajpora. Around 15 girls from all age groups participated among including 13-year-old girl besides, mother of two children also took part in the adventurous trek.
Covering about 14 kms distance, the girl trekkers moved from Trimokhan Top to South Lolab boundary then descended down to Rampora, reaching an altitude of 2900m challenging about 3 feet of snow accumulation along the trek.
“I'm really overwhelmed as I was waiting for this day, I had a wish if I could go camping with my friends to hills and this Club fulfilled it and provided the opportunity for the girl folk,” said Peer Ishrat, a trekker.
She said that it was a great experience to be in the lap of nature and away from the worldly hustle and bustle.
Mudasir Bashir Shah, an ace adventurer who organised the trek said that whenever he would share photos from expeditions to lush green meadows and mountains on his social media handlers, besides boys he would get queries from girls desiring to go on such trips.
“As queries from girls swelled, I decided to give it a shot and put out an announcement asking females to sign up for trekking tour. It generated quite a good response. Girls too have an urge to connect with nature and we just want to show them a way to fulfil that urge,” Mudasir said.
He said that it is a non-profit initiative, they do it for passion and want to contribute to the society in some way. “I'm planning for more such events in the near future,” he said. (KNS)