Srinagar Dec 7: J&K Ski and Mountaineering Association (JKSMA) will celebrate International Mountain Day on Dec 11 in Kashmir to send a message to the public to conserve the ecology and environment of the state.
Since 2003 the day is observed annually over the world. This year the theme is “Greening the Blue.”
A JKSMA spokesman said the association shall celebrate this day to send a “message to masses as how to conserve the ecology and environment of the state.”
“Celebrating this day will also help keep the tourism of the state alive as Jammu and Kashmir offers the natural beauty,” he said.
“Till recent years this day was not observed in J&K by any governmental or non-governmental organizations but since last year the J&K Ski & Mountaineering Association, a registered society, has come forward to celebrate this day in a big way,” the spokesman said in a statement.
“The JKSMA conducted various activities last year in this behalf at different places in the city,” it said.
The association shall hold various activities on this day. It will hold a seminar at Nigeen Club on the day at 11 am. Environmentalists, academics, journalists, wildlife biologists, ornithologists, explorers and adventurers shall participate in the event and present papers on varied subjects.
On the next day the JKSMA shall organize a symbolic daylong trekking program from Faqeer Gujri to Asthanmarg in Harwan area in which scores of school boys and girls and the volunteers are taking part.
The participants in the trek shall make awareness about the preservation of forests in the outskirts of the Srinagar City.
The celebrations will be held in collaboration with Tourism Department (Kashmir) and in partnership with J&K Mountaineering & Hiking Club.
The program is supported by some other organizations like Srinagar Development Authority, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), JK Bank, Hotel Grand Mumtaz, Khyber Cements, Raheem Green, TCI Cements, Damna Merchants.
Meanwhile, General Secretary, JKSMA, Rauf Tramboo appreciated the Tourism Department and other organisations who have come forward. He also hailed Talat Parvaiz, Director Tourism (Kashmir) for providing the support, logistics to make the endeavour a success.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 8 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST