ATOAK concerned over un-regulated trekking in Sindh, Lidder valleys

Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir (ATOAK) Thursday expressed its dismay over unregulated trekking activities in Sindh and Lidder valleys.

In a statement, ATOAK said, some  “unprofessional and non-registered” trekkingcompanies  are operating in Sindh andLidder valleys, which not only endangers the life of the trekkers but is alsocreating havoc to the environment in these valleys.

   

“Presently we have some serious threats to the developmentof adventure tourism in Kashmir Valley. As per newly framed guidelines bydepartment of tourism only registered Adventure Tour Operators of the statehave been authorised to run adventure related activities including theirtrekking programs in the state. the new guidelines discouraged the unregisteredcompanies and Individuals to run any commercial trekking programs until theyfull-fill the norms in vogue,” read the statement.

ATOAK is dismayed to learn that some companies areorganizing the Great Lakes trek in huge numbers with large number of trekkersin their each trek but are neither registered nor authorised to do so, it said.

“Unfortunately they create fixed tented colonies at all thecampsites on the route, this unethical and unprofessional practice not onlysqueeze the space for other fellow trekkers but creates environmental problemsfor the area as well. All the garbage which includes hazardous polythene,plastic, glass and tin is dumped near the camping sites thus creatingenvironmental problems in the trekking areas,” it said.

“We also fear that under these circumstances the NationalGreen Tribunal (NGT) may stop trekking in this environmentally most fragilearea, which would be a great and direct loss to the local adventure touroperators and local economy as well,” it added.

ATOAK requested the Tourism Department to allow the trekkingcompanies on the conditions that they should engage the local adventure touroperators as their handling agents for their trekking programs in the state.

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