PTDC and Alpine Club of Pakistan celebrate International Mountain Day on Margallas in Islamabad

PTDC and Alpine Club of Pakistan celebrate International Mountain Day on Margallas in Islamabad

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), in collaboration with at least two of the private sector organizations, held two different galas to celebrate the “International Mountain Day” on December, 11. The government owned body which overlooks the
development of tourism in the country charted out plans to celebrate the day, in a bid to attract local tourists to the mountainous regions of the country as well as to apprise the young students of the importance of mountains in the country.

In collaboration with the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), PTDC organized a mountain Hike and Sapling Plantation campaign on the Trail-5 of Margalla Hills and was participated by no fewer than 200 students from the local schools of Rawalpindi, Islamabad and
Gilgit-Baltistan province. Present on the occasion, was the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Syed Mehdi Shah who presided over the prize distribution ceremony.

The minister highlighted the importance of the mountains and the many natural wonders Pakistan holds in her lap. He also said that Diamir Basha Dam in the Chilas, Gilgit, will prove to be the gateway of development and economic activity in the province,
which will thereby enhance the tourism in the region.

The hike started at Trial-5 Margalla Hills and finished at Capital View Point, Pir Sohawa. Later joining Trail-3, plantation of the sapling also held along Trail-3 at the selected areas. 

In another similar event, marking the International Mountain Day celebrations, PTDC arranged a rock climbing gala at the scenic Lake View Point, on the Southern edge of the Rawal Lake, in collaboration with the Adventure Club of Pakistan.

The participating students came from The City School (Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Nowshera, and Peshawar), Beaconhouse, Multi Adventure Club, NUST, International Islamic University Islamabad, Falcon Club, Chenab Nagar and Sui Northern Gas.

The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Managing Director Mir Shahjahan Khetran was also present on the occasion and presided over the prize distribution ceremony. Many of the young students from these universities participated in the event including
many of the ambitious young girls who are interested in mountain and rock climbing.

“I am happy to participate in such an adventurous sport and it has piqued my interest in the natural beauty of our country,” said Parveen, a participant.

The United Nations General Assembly has designated 11 December, from 2003 onwards, as
“International Mountain Day”. This decision results from the success of the UN International Year of Mountains in 2002, which increased global awareness of the importance of mountains, stimulated the establishment of national committees in
78 countries and strengthened alliances through promoting the creation of the International Partnership for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions, known as the ‘Mountain Partnership (WSSD, Johannesburg, 2 September 2002).

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Posted by Naveed A Bari on Dec 12 2011. Filed under National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry