No doubts if skiing is started in the heels of Zaberwan range, there could be concerns about safety of wildlife around Dachigam National Park. But this has always been there.

 When we talk of eco-tourism there is possibility that we may occasionally face the wildlife but not necessarily there could always be man-wild animal conflict. 

 The intensive exploration made by Muhammad Yusuf in We the Srinagarites column some time back about skiing in Zabarvan range is of immense use from the tourism point of view. 

 He has mentioned that the Jungle walk could also be introduced in the area.
 In Nepal tourists are taken to Chitwan National park where they are shown the wildlife. It is one of the biggest sources of foreign exchange earning there. 

 Organizing Ski-touring in the upper reaches of Dachigam National Park could be in the best interest of wildlife protection because it is not possible for wildlife guards to roam around in winter.

 The explorers and ski- mountaineers are in fact good friends of wildlife. They never harm them but keep giving reports about their existence in the far-flung areas. I quote an example here that in 1986 an International ski-mountaineering expedition was conducted in Lidder valley in which me and my friend Mohammad Yusuf were also participating. While skiing in Sekiwas and Marsar area (upper reaches of DNP) we spotted the footprints of Snow leopard. On our return we informed the wildlife Department about the existence of this extinct species in the Lidder valley. We were not believed and our report was nullified at that time. But after lapse of about 5 years a villager found a cub in the area which confirmed that we were correct. For Srinagar development Authority, I suggest, they should get cleared the mass which has accumulated on the rocks at Dhara. One could organize Sport Climbing there on every holiday for Srinagarites and SDA could earn revenue out of it.

By Mehraj-ud-Din
(The author is an explorer and adventure tour consultant having trekked and skied in Lidder and Sindh valleys. Feedback:dinhighland@gmail.com. The views expressed are his own)

Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
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